The backlash began after an excerpt from her book depicted the actress lobbing harsh words at the rap and hip-hop genres as well as artists Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy. While speaking about an AIDS awareness program she works with, Judd writes, "Along with other performers, YouthAIDS was supported by rap and hip-hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message...um, who? Those names were a red flag.”

Judd continued, “As far as I'm concerned, most rap and hip-hop music - with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as 'ho's' - is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny.”

She concludes, "I believe that the social construction of gender - the cultural beliefs and practices that divide the sexes and institutionalize and normalize the unequal treatment of girls and women, privilege the interests of boys and men, and, most nefariously, incessantly sexualize girls and women - is the root cause of poverty and suffering around the world."

Now the 42-year-old says that in light of the many responses around the Web, she believes she should’ve framed her opinion a bit differently.

"The outcry regarding my remarks, 2 paragraphs of my 400+ page book, regarding hip hop and rap, has been as astounding as it is out of context...I have looked closely at the feedback I have received about those two paragraphs, and absolutely see your points, and I fully capitulate to your rightness, and again humbly offer my heartfelt amends for not having been able to see the fault in my writing, and not having anticipated it would be painful for so many. Crucial words are missing that could have made a giant difference,” she says in a post on GlobalGrind.com.

Judd asserts that those paragraphs should read: “Some hip hop, and some rap, is abusive. Some of it is part of the contemporary soundtrack [of] misogyny (which, of course, is multi-sonic). Some of it promotes the rape culture so pervasive in our world...I should have been clear...that I include hip-hop and rap as part of a much larger problem. It is beyond unfortunate that I am talking about some, for example, of Snoop Dogs’ lyrics, an assumption has been spread I was talking about every single artist in both genres."

She explains that if someone were to make generalizations about the music genres she grew up with, she too would feel slighted.

"My equivalent genres, as an Appalachian, an oppressed and ridiculed people, would be mountain music and bluegrass. Those genres tell the history, struggles, grief, soul, faith, and culture of my people. In imagining how I would feel if someone made negative generalizations about that music, I am deeply remorseful that anything I may have said in 'All That Is Bitter & Sweet' would hurt adherents of genres that represent their culture," Judd says.

The actress also clarifies that she was by no means trying to blame rap and hip-hop for "poverty, AIDS, and the whole of rape culture."

"Please, people. Seriously," she writes. "I am white, yes, but in spite of some allegations to the contrary, I am not an idiot. Gender inequality and rape culture were here a long before the birth of the genres and rage everywhere. "

But there's one thing Judd won't apologize for, and that's speaking out against hate and violence towards women and girls.

"Hatred of girls and women, I will oppose with spiritual and non-violent principles every day," she concludes, adding that the Twitter responses to her remarks included death threats. "Abuse and violence in any form, at any time, in any expression, are never okay. Period. I, and other girls and women, are not afraid of you. You can keep on hating, but I am going to keep on loving."

soundoff(758 Responses)

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@ DonDavis. Bikini Kill was not a mainstream act and Hole hasn't been relevant since the 90s. (And Hole didn't demean or encourage violence against men anyways.) Domestic violence and being murdered by your male partner remain two of the top ways females die in this country (and many other countries) . The chances of males dying at the hands of female violence from partners is not comparable in the slightest.

How can you people seem to think its okay that she stereotyped an entire genre of music? (one that you people clearly aren't familiar with) Just because you don't understand my generations culture doesn't mean you can trash it. For the record there are hundreds of hip-hop artists that don't denigrate woman – in fact the definition of what hip-hop is; it's much different then rap. Then again expecting closed-minded people like you to understand something you don't know, before passing judgement on it, that would be un-american.

Who the hell would waste money and time on a book written by an actress anyways. Go read some Huxley, Wilde, Juvenal or something with social value, not the rambling, heavily edited thoughts of some actress.

The best hip-hop out there, in fact, the defacto-standard gangsta rap group, Bone Thugs N Harmony are not misogynistic in the slightest. ...not a single lyric which degrades women. My point? You can be thuggish, but still not hate women.

Rap can't keep lingering on decade after decade, can it? Same old, same old. The guys who got into the executive positions during rap's hey day have to go now .... give the industry back to talented singers and musicians.

I would like to see the "full frontal" referred to. What movie was that? I would imagine that it was an essential part of the movie, not just gratuitous nudity. I too think that an apology was unnecessary.

"Rap music" in my opinion is a contradiction in terms. I like some music. I can tolerate some music. Some "music" is a huge annoyance to me. I have to confess that I can't stand rap. I can't stand the lyrics and the only thing I find musical is the beat.

Why is she apologizing? What she said was true in most cases. No, not ALL hip hop and rap artists write and record violent, misogynistic music. But a great many do, and that's who she was referring to. We really need to stop demanding that celebrities apologize for telling the truth. It may not be what people want to hear, but it's true.

Ashley Judd was stating her opinion! Since when is that wrong? She is a huge supporter for woman and children, and she finds Rap offensive, so what, she has every right to.

I understand why she apologized, although she doesn't need to, So sad that she has to apologize to shut down haters and death threats, while people who sing about raping, sodomizing and beating others make no apology. Guess favor runs your way if you have a jacked up grill, your high, serving time in jail, and have a gun... Yea, she's so offensive!

I respect anyone who has the balls to get up on stage in front of people and perform, be it country, rap, metal, punk, classical. It takes guts. I think there is inequality everywhere we look, but the reactions here are really ridiculous. You know what she said something, in a very public way, that isn't politically correct. So what! There is no need for the racist comments or the righteous indignation. It's not a black/white thing. Just let it be.
Hip Hop and Rap portray their own stories, just like punk portrayed very dark economic and sometimes violent times. It happens. And to the people saying this music portrays violence and drugs, Johnny Cash (who i love) talked about getting high, killing his woman and running to Mexico in Cocaine Blues. And talked about being hung in 25 minutes to go. And Hank Williams was a notorious drunk. Kurt Cobain lived his music too, just like Layne Stayley, and they are very dead from the drugs that consumed their lives. Theres no need to throw stones. In fact, there are plenty of examples in all music that isnt pleasant to hear. And some like Billie Holiday that have great social matters to worry about as in "Strange Fruit".... And to the extremely racist comments that black people cant play instruments, how bout Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Led Belly, Louis Armstrong. Please lets leave the racism checked at the door, its unneeded useless and only makes you look stupid....

you guys are all ignorant. Rap is not crap, it is a beautiful yet complicated, deep way to express ones thoughts and views. Many call it a poetry. I love all music, except opera. John Lennon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, LMFAO, Katy Perry, and others but rap remains my favorite. It influences me every day, the only crap that represents rap today is Lil Wayne and Drake. Real rap is Tupac, Biggie, Eazy E and N.W.A plus many more. You all know nothing, so please shut up. sincerely a white kid

great comment. i completely agree with you 100 percent. though i do like lil wayne and drake. my all time favorite is tupac. a lot of his music is deep. just wish other people had an open mind like you.

Truth is truth, do not back down from what you believe is right. I think the reason there was such an outcry was because Ashley Judd is a white person. Black people say the same thing about this Neanderthal music, but the media ignores them. As I black person I am embarrassed every time I hear it.

You all know nothing of hip-hop and the definition of music. Who are you to define it for others? The sound of birds chirping can be music to one's ears, the sound of rain hitting the ground can be music for others.

Clearly all of you demeaning hip-hop no nothing of classic hip-hop and its origins if you choose to generalize it just because several artists have misogynistic and violent lyrics. I admit, today's hip-hop is incomparable to that of the 90's, but it is still wrong to generalize.

Bummed she apologized. Rap music is the bane of the black community and contributes to its downward spiral towards ubiquitous single-parent homes, lawlessness, and unjustified hubris on the part of blacks. Don't give me the bs about lumping/stereotyping this music all together. The most popular of rap revels in spreading the filth and holds down the black community. Standards of civility are set by who we are as humans not the color of our skin. I refuse to have rap music and what it promotes to define me or what it means to "be black!" If you are so offended by "stereotyping" rap then why don't overlay the same train of logic on people who display the confederate flag? Guess it's okay to just "stereotype" them as all racists. F the mentality of blacks these days!

I don't even know who this Ashley Judd nor do I care at all. If this middle age, woman wants to say that rap music is horrible & talk bad about women and gays, than she can. Her thoughts don't concern me nor should it concern other people. People will say, " Oh pop music sucks!" or " Drake is horrible! he makes trashy music!" People will say whatever they want to say, and me personaly, don't take it serioulsy. I like rap music, and etc, but most of the time I don't pay attetntion to the music, only the beat, because I KNOW the lyrics are offensive

While you sit on your high horses and and condemn hip hop, remember it is YOUR generation who put this country in the mess it is in. Hip Hop is the voice of the voiceless. If you dont like it, look around you. Because whether you like it or not, it is reality. I seen J-Live post on this, go listen to his music he is a school teacher, you might learn something.

Ms. Judd's statements as-well as a lot of the negative comments here are just ignorant opinions about a culture most of these people know nothing about.I know this because if they were at all knowledgeable about the music or the culture these statements would look very different.People hear a few commercialized hip hop or rap songs here and there or see a few hip hop videos on television and base their opinion on an entire genre of music on that.If I heard a few rock or country songs that i didn't like and based my opinion about the entire music genre on that , I would be a very ignorant and uncultured person.Why is it okay to do that with hip hop? As for Ms. Judd's apology, I don't think she had anything to apologize for, she expressed her opinion and there is nothing wrong with that.Some people will agree and some will disagree, that's part of what makes it an opinion.Just as i am free to express my opinion others should be too, this is America. Differing opinions are what makes America great, I just think opinions should be based on well rounded knowledge of the entire subject.That's just my opinion.

It's very interesting to read the comments but notice that some of the opinions lack a conscious mind set of todays Culture when it comes to it's choice of music, the conditions and oppressions that have have been accepted as a art form have also been a platform of experience and it is this experience which helps to overcome whatever situation when or if it attempts to hinder the growth of certain cultures, when one person does not understand the beat of the drum it does not mean that this person has no rythym it's just a matter of time yet with all that said, if music is a form of life then go from there and Look at our history and it teaches you that the same people who stole black music attempts to demonize it today as if you dont listen to it, and you know who you are.

I don't see a problem with her remarks. Everything she said about mainstream rap music is true. Contemporary rap music does glorify misogyny, materialism, and violence. Why is it wrong to point that out? Of course, most people are afraid to speak out against the ugly message of "gangsta" rap for fear of being labeled a racist. Kudos to Ashley for not being afraid to speak up.

What's with this rap and hip-hop is garbage. That's like me saying slipknot, good charlotte, panic! at the disco, lady gaga, or whoever is garbage. Music is music, regardless of anyone's own opinion, someone likes it and is buying it. The artist has they're own reasoning for saying what they say. It whatever the listener interprets that makes it good. If anyone wants to give negative rating to any genre, do yourself a favor, study that music and then come with a opinion. I don't like lil Wayne but I do like Talib Kweli. I have a reason for my dislike and like. Yet that is something a few can truely understand.

Doesn't anybody have the guts to stand by their opinions anymore. It's just pathetic. Everybody is too obsessed with making "heartfelt" apologies for the "hurt" they've caused. Please! Get a spine. You can't make everybody happy all of the time, so stop trying! Say it. Mean it. Stand by it! Sheesh!

Oh no, Ashley Judd doesn't like hip-hop. Big deal? Why should she apologize? Everyone has an opinion, and sometimes it's different form yours. Do we all wake up every morning thinking everyone on earth agrees with us? I think Ashley Judd sucks. I guess that means everyone who disagrees with me should tear their hair out and boycott me, right?

I'm a life-long hip-hop fan, and while I generally disagree with the classification of all or even "most" rap as destructive, I fail to see why she needs to apologize. Have the two artists she mentioned in particular been guilty of misogynistic lyrics and depicting wreckless behavior in their lyrics? Absolutely! She has every right to call these people to carpet for the messages they promote in their music. I find myself listening more to underground artists and those who barely get air-play because the "hip-hop" that is currently accepted in mainstream society is void of originality, innovation, or signs of growth.

The rise of rap and subsequently hip hop in the mid 80's thru MTV is exactly the source of our society starting it's current downward spiral. It glamourizes crime more extensively than any other type of music. Rap stars even arrange to get arrested to purposely have criminal records to increase their sales or lie about criminal pasts that don't exist. The death threats only prove the point. She was right. Too bad she was forced to recant.

I love the fact that SOMEONE finally with a real voice and true opinion has defined how poor RAP music is. Unfortunately, the media thrusts RAP in our everyday faces forcing our children's ears to hear the garbage and think it's 'popular' thus feeling like it's ok to be treated like trash and 'ho s' by other people. It's children that's the real victims to RAP, and the artists don't care outside of living in 24 carat mansions sippin crystaaaaal with a bevey of half naked hos by the poolside with no self respect thinking 'life is good'. There's up-the-music-food-chain politics that keep it in the lime light like it's OK.....well it's not! Lil Wayne gets accredited & awarded for this skewed public spouting of 'thug life' like it's a LEGAL thing. Snoop Dog was cast for Sesame Street! Props to Ashley Judd....don't apologize, we, the majority of public opinion, need more vocal & intelligent voices like hers.

Is Rapping considered to be some sort music? Don’t think so! Is rapping a form of poetry? No because it doesn’t meet the established forms to be considered as such. It is simply a form of communication known as “oral history” basically for those that lack formalized education in the art of writing and composing music. Its origins and practice within the inter-city simple supports that socialization through extremely bad grammar and subject matter that is reflective of a self imposed oppressive lifestyle. Rap will not exist in the long term simple because there is no intelligent art form that needs to be mastered. For the sake of example, 100 years in the future, classical and jazz will still be practiced because it is attractive to the true musician that wishes to hone their craft or master something that is recognized as intellectual in nature and worth preserving. Rap will simple die by its own “drive by shooting” both literally and figuratively. In short, Ashley has nothing to apologize for……

All of today's music is crap. But rap hip/hop whatever you want to call it, it at the top of the crap heap. Want to know what real HipHop is? Thelonious Monk look him up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2s6LZUdYaU

The problem is that Ms Judd singled out one music genre instead of expressing her issue with ALL misogionist and degrading music. To all of you expressing your disinterest with rap music, great, but you all seemed to forget what the message she was trying to convey was and just focused on your own narrow view...
WIDEN YOUR GAZE.

RAP AND HIP HOP HAS MADE MORE MONEY THAN ANY OTHER MUSIC BUT IT HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE ROCK HALL OF FAME AND THE RAPPERS DO NOT KNOW IT YET WHY NOT HAVE A HIP HOP HALL OF FAME AND THEN YOU WOULD KNOW HOW BAD OFF ROCK AND COUNTRY IS NO SALES SO THEY HAD TO STEAL THE HIP HOP FAME

I wonder how many kids have died trying to "flesh out" the lyrics of rap "music"? The majority of rap glamourizes destructive behavior. Still, freedom of speech protects the rights of the people who write the songs and those who "sing" them. Apparently though, if you're white and have an opinion about this music, freedom of speech doesn't apply.

I really doubt Snoop Doggy Dogg cares what Ashley Judd thinks about rap or about him. He still gets more action than most men. Take out the drugs and guns and jail time, and you've got one heaven of a life right there.

I used to be a huge rap fan, but now I can't stand it. Every song is the same lyrically and it's all a load of crap. It's all about "I got this" and "I got that". So what? It's gotten to the point where whenever a rapper opens his mouth, you pretty much know what's gonna come out of it. You could probably get rid of 95% of "hip hop artists" out there today and still have the same content. It's useless now. It's mostly about empty goals and this ish is influencing young people. The saddest thing ever is to see young people wake up every morning with no goal, nothing to work for. They just get up, go smoke, waste time, and blame society all in the name of getting more "money, hoes, and clothes". This crap isn't hip hop. It's destruction. We used to have fun listening to hip hop. It used to be about coming up the right way and being successful. We used to celebrate that. All this drug and hoe crap ruined it.

And too bad for that first amendment. It used to mean something. You used to be able to say what you wanted. Now political correctness trumps first amendment rights. Disgusting.

Why apologize for saying what you believe.I happen to agree that hip hop and rap are useless forms of expression. The cursing and degrading of women and all that is not black is wrong. Why havent we ever heard hip hop or rap where it is praising someone or showing respect. These so called artists do not apologize for infringing on anyone elses rights, they only complain that their civil rights are violated. What a load of crap.

realist – regardless of how you want to defend their depictions in their music...the fact remains that the people who follow this music...EMULATE IT!!!

You are an idiot. I am a veteran, I still serve my country by working for the government, and yes, I listen to Rap. I do not "EMULATE IT". I have never nor will I ever disrespect my wife or my daughter just because I choose to listen to a certain type of music. I grew up in the ghetto as a child before getting out of there so I know where some of these rappers are coming from with their lyrics. Yes, some rap, especially some of today's stuff, is horrible but the same can be said about any other music genre.

Hip hop and rap is not what it use to be...it was at it's peak in the 90s...i'm sorry but lil' wayne and some of the other top rappers of today don't have a thing on the east or west coast scene of the 90s. Lyrically rappers lik Pac, Biggie and groups like De La, Wu, Gangstarr and Tribe had it going on. Sure, they used alot of profanity but the stories and rhymes flowed really well in most of their music. Today's newer rappers just plain suck when you turn on the radio and compare...thank God for Pandora.

Rap and hip-hop are irrelevant to the conversation at hand here. No one here can argue what Ashley Judd thinks about them, which is the topic at hand. No one cares whether YOU think rap and hip-hop are great or not. WHAT rap and hip-hop are is not the topic. What Ashley Judd thinks about them and says about them, and why she changed her story when she received a very small amount of criticism is the topic.

Apologizing for what she really believes, and believes strongly enough to write about in her book and make it past rewrites, editors, proofreaders, and publishers, is probably on Ashley Judd's top 3 stupidest things to have done this decade. It removes all credibility of any content in her book and shows her as lacking belief and conviction. It also shows her as weak, and someone who will bow down to a little criticism rather than stand firm in her beliefs.

You shouldn't have apologized Ms. Judd, and you certainly should not have let a tiny minority of complainers cause you to lie about your beliefs. There are far more people across the world who agree with what you said the first time than with the self-lie you are telling now.

Rap and Hip-Hop, unfortunately, have transformed into a pale version of what they used to be. "Old school" hip-hop and rap was creative, exciting and fun, and lacked virtually all of the woman-hating, cop-hating, gang-banging "gangsta" glorification... at least in the beginning. Once NWA and the "West Coast" rappers picked up steam and hit wide-spread fame, it turned much darker and uglier- and took much less talent to pull off a "hit" song.

I STILL listen to old school hip-hop and rap when the message wasn't about "hos" and all the glorification of the gangsta lifestyle. It's a damn shame that it was sacrificed on the altar of commercialism and greed. There are very few rappers or hip-hop artists now worth listening to.

DJs are definitely musicians, it takes a wealth of knowledge about keys, root notes, beats per minute and song structure (progressions). DJs are the ultimate lovers of music, and have a more in depth knowledge of the inner workings of songs than most performers do. The act of beatmatching takes an incredible ear for counting beats and pinpoint hand eye coordination, and scratching requires an abstract mind able to cut and paste and manipulate manual records into a melody. DJs are highly technical percussionists. I have been a dj for over ten years, and played drums, guitar and sang for years before that, and have learned more about music thru djing than I ever did learning to play guitar and write songs. Don't ever knock the DJ.

I always went with the David Bowie quote about Rap and Hip-Hop it is something that can be universal,!..I have heard rap translated toward the Portuguese language World and, it does very well with the Africa Franco world also..So I think the universal spread is good..I think that Ashley Judd has a certain amount of legitimacy in spouting its aftermath and continuation in the USA..Hip Hop and Rap have a degree of ...maturity to go before it is not under attack in this country..As all forms of music its base on relevancy? I think most music is created with only 10% really valid..others are forced upon the public ..because the industry is corporate driven..so just keep the wheel going.I am more in interested in World Music ,..so its not my forte..but neither is bluegrass or gangster rap.those are " regional tastes"..One thinks in America they have to always ...put forth something to attack the ..system and its injustices..things sell in a consumer society when it has a .... message that aggravates the general populace..turn that music down!!!..turn that music down right now!

I don't hate rap or rappers in the generic sense, and I agree that people need to keep their minds open to new forms of expression. No problem there. However, I DO have a problem with people calling many of these rappers "musicians." Sorry, but as I understand it, real musicians actually have to be able to sing and/or play an instrument with some degree of proficiency. Talking over someone else's beats, melodies and chord structures is NOT musicianship. I'm not saying rap isn't a legitimate form of expression, but I would not call it music.

If that is what Ms. Judd believes more power to her "free country" say what you want and just be prepared for to defend your ideas,The USA has become to politically correct.Say one thing about somebody suddenly your a racist or something,so much for tolarence.........

@Renee - I'm not sure of your source but other than a song lyric of his making the claim, I can't find anything that says Chubb Rock has a PhD. According to Wikipedia he was pre-med in college and dropped out to pursue music.

She is right, that music is just a bunch of foul slang put to a beat. and the retards that drive around it stupid cartoon cars with huge wheels, blasting that pollution are so typical of the type of people who listen to that filth. its disturbing to people who are forced to hear it at home and in traffic. and the idiot who said that eminem makes so much money, who cares, the hip hop/rap hoods all measure wealth with how much money they have. thats pathetic and sad, because no matter how much money you have, at the end of the day, if you are a dirt bag, then you really have nothing. the hood rat rappers make some cash and go nuts! then act the same as when they were in the hood, just with new clothes and retarded looking cars.

Not only is Ashley Judd a lovely lady, a great actress, and comes from great roots, but she's also brave enough to speak her mind about something that everybody else knows for a fact but are too intimidated to speak it in public. Rap (I call it crap) is the most pitiful excuse for music that's ever been performed anywhere at any time in the history of this nation. It does such an injustice to the African-American race.

I like hip hop and rap music and I'll still watch her movies. This excerpt got her book the publicity it needed. Same way Trump is using Obama's birth certificate to play to a certain audience. Good for her!

steeve-o – You are a hypocrite. Period. You call Music Lover a racist and then say that he/she prefers the music of washboards and banjos? You are making the same kind of generalizations that Music Lover made, therefore completely discrediting everything you say, IMO. I come from the land of washboards and banjos, and not all of us had a Grandpa who starred in "Deliverance" and masqueraded as a Grand Dragon at clan meetings.

the wilcats don't like her she think they do. when we see her we just about puke. she thinks she is so much btter.
raised on food stamped and cheese they whole family is wacky. don't come back to KY or any of the games

Here we go again, someone saying 'My Bad' for stating their opinion. It's their opinion and you can like it or hate it but you can't get all crazy because of it. This is America, remember free speech! I personally won't listen to the cRAP music as I can't understand the words, especially now with all the electronics crap. Some rhymes do indeed contain disgusting words which I would not want my kids listening to so I simply turn it off!

The worse part of the whole cRAP culture is too many younger black kids are thinking that these guy's are heros as they make a ton of money, drink the good stuff and have women all around them. The entire culture seems to be wrapped around "hittin it"! Sad as these artists have an active group listening to them. Maybe start talking about 1-2 good things on one CD, like stay in school, get an education and pull your damm pants up!!

Yeah, white privilage . . . . what a twisted view. Hip-hop and rap is absolutely nothing but the self-glorification by street thugs and gangs. Nowhere in the music industry do more "performers" (not a term I would use for this bunch) get gunned down or arrested. They can pander it all they want to, but the day will never come where it's heard in my house and by my children of their own choosing, who happen to be raised in a manner that respects this country and its pro-social values. My children respect themselves and others too much to even recognize the garbage that rap and hip-hop spew out. Ashley Judd couldn't have phrased it better in my opinion. To hell with the rap hip-hop industry.

the reason why they are gunning each other down does have a little bit to do with rap. but the major reason is because of the racist white people forced them into this situation. oh and by the way i am white

America hates Blacks, Latinos and even some poor whites... These wealthy whites and rich puppets say and do whatever they want in this system of living but i COLLIE ALI say to my people, its almost over. This reality as we know it will and is coming to a end soon....

You know,
Ms. Judd, if she dosen't like rap music, then that's alright, she can say whatever she wants. I listen to it, and some I like and some I don't, but I wouldn't, personally, be ignorant enough to comment on genres of music that I don't know well country, heavy metal, etc) and make sweeping generalizations. I wouldn't say metal is for mass-mudering cocaine fueled white kids who got bullied in high school or country is for redneck, incestual, shotgun loving relationships. Absolutely not true. Sweeping generalizations of any music or genre is just ridiculous.

I dont even know why "most" people are arguing on here. Whites only know hip hop by what they see on TV and hear on the radio.....most of which is not appealing at all. Blacks only know about country or metal that they hear and see using the same sources. Its all watered down, CRAP that is generated by record companies for sales. If you want to hear good music try investigating something that isnt quite main stream. I listen to just about every kind of music minus tejano, and every genre has its good, bad, and ugly. Ashley judds comments may have been right on point, but i truly dont think that she meant all people of one genre are bad......then again, she could have. who am i to tell, but most of the people posting here, took this as a time to show their inner hatred for one group. Good job. Stay divided america

Yeah BOI! HIP HOP ain't mysoginistical! All them h0z be likin it. They know wher they muny com from! Wayt...someone stabbed me in the head with a railroad spike this morning and I had to pull it out. Yeah, there's nothing wrong with her comments and she shouldn't apologize. Rock, Metal, Country; every genre has it's negative side. Hip-hop is no different. It's current popularity encourages "artists" to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Just because The Roots put important messages out there, doesn't change the fact that most music in the genre is terrible.

Sheesh. I grew up on hip hop. But I can't sit here and act like she is not telling the truth. Hip Hop is what it is nowadays. It does dis women and glorify drugs and guns (In a TON of it). Is it artistic? Yes. Are some rappers better than others? Yes. But I can't sit and act like it is not what it is. #whendideveryonegoblind

White suburban kids are looking for role models..and its fast-buck artists that take advantage of their inexperience. Rap artists, like anyone else in the music business, are out to make a buck – witness "Snoop Dog" teaming up with Katy Perry ! Mr. BadAss is all of a sudden Coke – Zero , – get on the popular genre, pop-tune friendly?? GIVE ME A BREAK! All of these shallow, "committed" artists would sell their grandmothers for the right price! What kind of values is THAT to teach the next gen ? REGARDLESS OF RACE!

Look, she apologized already. She said she should have said 'some rap and hip hop' which is true. Some of any genre of music is terribly misogynistic, and some of any genre is intelligent and philosophic.

Rap is part of the de-evolution of our society. We're becoming dumbed-down; we're degenerating. The bar excellence is low, and is getting lower. Rap is the soundtrack to this trend. 20 years from now, if this continues, we're all going to be listening to music that is even more un-original and even more simplistic than rap is right now. "Music poetry of the street" - yeah, right. That's like saying someone who records himself burping and farting is a "genius human sounds."

Ok, I get it now. Its not the fact that HipHop has brought white kids and black kids together with a common forcus. Its that if you can't dance, then its embarassing to try to move to music that moves you. Such a lack of skill could be considered a disability or disadvantage when trying to hit on the gyrating cute girl in the club who is soooo into Snoop,.

Hate on all you want. No need to understand the melodious tones of the spoken word blended with soul-filled music that tells many stories of strife and life in the inner city not seen or cared for by the outside world. And 'sampled' rifts of other's music used are flavored and enhanced by Rap vocals. But you can know this, that HipHop/Rap accounts for 65% or more of ALL the music industry revenue and white kids can't get enough. A fearful dread by their parents. Elvis died, but TuPac lives on...........

Hey Rob.....I don't agree at all with what she said or anything like that...but I have to ask....if Eminem is making so much money these days...then why is doing really bad commercials? Typically when a popular artist starts doing commercials...it's because they need the cash. Just saying.....

Rap may be a legitimate form of expression by it IS the lowest common denominator musically. A rhythmic beat does not make a song, nor is it so when layered on top of a stolen sampled repeating processed loop or two notes of a bass or lead synth. That is why it is the entropy of music. It's not the cause of a failing culture, it's the produt of a failing culture. For those that want to draw roots to Africa, surely they were not glorifying T&A with their dances – they were using it for spiritual purposes. There is nothing spiritual about glorifying materialism, i.e. a pimped out Escalade, bottle of Cristal, and a Glock. So bitter and violent.

Rap is disgusting and appeals to the lowest elements of our society. I mean really people, gave you no taste to enjoy nonsensical talking mixed with annoying drum beats and stolen music? Society continues to plunge to even lower levels amazingly. None of these black artists could touch a Mozart, Beethoven or Bach – music which appealed to the upper elements of society.

Ashley was right on the money. She did not need to apologize. She is absolutely right that it demeans women in the lyrics. I am sick and tired of political correctness and people always having to apologize when they should be allowed to express their thoughts on such matters. Never back down!!
Ashley Judd is amazing and does more for good entertainment than all the rap stars combined that teach our youth extremely BAD VALUES – hating cops, dissing and raping women, etc. etc.
Take back your apology Ashley!!

Any form of black expression that isn't written by Hootie and the Blowfish will always be looked down upon by the masses because the masses don't really care to try to understand the experiences of anyone else but people who look and think like them. Obviously someone living in a gated community in California isn't going to experience the same things someone living in Newark or New Orleans does, and there's nothing wrong with that. There is also nothing wrong with writing about what you experience, what you hope and dream for, the pain and trauma that you've experienced in your life. This is what hip-hop is to the people who really love it. If you don't like it, that's fine, but don't lump everyone who makes and enjoys hip-hop into a category of thugs and drug dealers. It wouldn't be fair to lump everyone who listens to country music as a toothless, racist, uneducated, trailer park ghetto white person, would it? Obviously not.

lol this is just your average run of the mill white person speak. ignore it people, just ignore it. white people have been "speaking" for as long as they've been around. superiority complex for sure. dumb %#$@

Agreeing with you Mike. Can't bear to hear it anymore. Same old, same old ... year after year after year. Doesn't matter how many new rappers the industry gets behind - it's tired and worn out. The better rappers/hip hop like K'Naan don't even get played in this country. The music industry needs new execs!! Tired of this dumbed-down style of rappin' to a beat (good singing voices and musical instrument ability not required by these guys). They shouldn't be proud that kids are buying this stuff - they should be ashamed.

Ashley... Ashley... Ashley... I once admired you, your family and your work. I now know who you are. Thanks !!! I should've known who you are when you threatened your Mother that you'd tell your sister who her Daddy really is ! Yeah.......

She wasn't attacking the entire genre. Further, she is obviously intelligent and articulate. Many of her critics would need a dictionary to even understand all the words in those two controversial paragraphs. Further, those who have threatened her with violence have proven her correct in large part.

However, thanks to the poster who wrote that rap is older than classical and desribe its roots in Africa. That was interesting to read.

Rap is to music what McDonalds is to food: cheap, popular and completely empty of anything good, noteworthy, admirable or respectable. It's noise for weak-minded, ignorant idiots. It's a completely false thing; there is no artistry to it. It is about ugly violence, misogyny, oppression, drugs and destruction. It negativism to a dry, hard beat. Hopelessness in a 3-minute tirade of idiocy and violence. It's a low point in our culture and an indication of many of the things wrong with our modern society. I rue the day rap and hip-hop became popular.

I am not a Judd fan and I do not generalize about any music. There is crappy music across all genres. Snoop Dog is one cheezy dude and P Diddy is a glorified thug. I've seen his violence first hand. I have heard some hip hop artists famous and not that are incredibly CREATIVE individuals with minds of a genius category. Snoop and PDid do not fit into the genius category. Can't trust pop culture. The masses are often lead astray by commercialism. For example, minstrel shows with blacks and whites dressed in black face were once the most popular form of entertainment in this country. Just cause everyone likes it does not make it good and certainly not right.

While its probably true that there is a lot more bad, misogynistic rap than good rap, the fact is there is simply just a lot more bad art than good art, because bad art is easier to create. Let's not condemn an entire genre blindly. Plus, who is really behind this sort of music? Most popular music today is heavily corporatized, so maybe we really ought to blame corporations for the soullessness and depravity found in some rap and hip hop?

Are we comparing c-murder to griots now? R. Kelly to spoken word historians? My don't we hitch our wagons to some big (and long ago) stars. No, I'm sure she's not talking about serious musicians (C-Lo, Bone Thugs, Kanye crazy but talented West) but rather the canned "thug" frontin' punks who think its funny to disrespect women and their own race at the behest of greed head producers and promoters. Can we stop comparing font wearing, gold chain draggin' all their money is up front loans on future earings, they will NEVER pay back flash in the pan shock value get in get mine get out FOOLS, to musicians and God Help us GRIOTS! PLEASE?

I imagine Ashley Judd is at least fairly educated, and a master in the art of theater. In my mind, just hearing her name would make me think, "educated, successful, and interesting". However, it really is a shame when someone you typically hold to a higher standard reveals such a low level of ignorance and insight into an entire culture of people.

Stereotypes are usually preludes to racism. Music is different for different cultures. Do you expect and inner city child who had a tough life to listen to Britney Spears and Justin Bieber? Or maybe he should play Bach or Mozart? No? Maybe Dixie Chicks? Its just a silly argument. Kanye West is my favorite artist, but i also play Maroon 5, Korn Limpbizkit, The Fray, Jay-Z, T.I., Lupe Fiasco, and all types and genres. People who try to limit music or tell others what they should like are just annoying to me. We all have our opinions but at the end of the day Im still not going to share your opinion.

Why is she singling out Rap music and not one mention of such genre as Metal, which is every bit as guilty of objectifying women (maybe even more so). She is basing her views strictly on racial stereotypes and lumping all Rap music together which should prove she is just another opinionated self-absorbed pretentious ass who doesn't know what she's talking about!

The lady told the truth, but now has to apologize. We all knew it was coming didnt we. The blacks got their feelings hurt again and started with the racism crap. Its funny how white people have to be sooooo damn careful what they say.

Do NOT apologize after making candid comments like these. Its more insulting to those who aren't offended by its meaning – but are deeply offended by the implied patronizing stance of the comment's withdrawal. These same comments coming from Bill Cosby or, me, for that matter wouldn't require clarification. Hers certainly doesn't.

Most arguments here aside: Four. Hundred. Pages. +. If I'm commiting that much reading to one book, I'd better be reading Charles Dickens. He was paid per word. Like Dickens, her words above say in a paragraph what Hemingway or a decent college writer could say in one sentence. Speaking of Appalachia, she sure sounds like she's opining from one high mountaintop.

Like I said, I like all music including some rap but I like mostly like heavy metal/rock, so, I will defend what I listen mostly to, in which saying...at least we never heard of Godsmack doing drive by shootings at King Diamond..etc, etc. My point I hope made clear.

I met Ashley Judd years ago and found her intellect compelling, her knowledge of self inspiring. It was refreshing to hear her speak.. We have great issues affecting us today that should be discussed including the effect of the words and actions of entertainers, athletes, politicians, and family upon those who 'experience' them. Ashley's words may or may not have been accurate (or partially so). At least we have the opportunity, because of her book, to discuss who is responsible for given words or deeds and can we, without sacrificing civil liberties, keep our under-educated, misinformed collective and individual egos in check (at least with respect to how they effect/affect others).

Black..correction. Don't get me wrong that I hate black people but for crying out loud you people keep making it a f rick ing issue all the time when it comes to $ h it like this with the black and white $ h it! Do we have to keep walking on egg shells and watching what we say because you a $$ h oles don't like it and you think everyone is out to get you....f u < k no!!! Relax!!!

@Delilah..keep shooting up and crawl back to the hole you came from c/nt. D@mn girl that's the best you can do? Rock and Roll is devil's music..lol. No $ hit..we heard that before and who cares what you think! She shouldn't of apologize for saying anything! Why should white people always have to walk on egg shells for the balck people?! Screw that $h it! You don't see the Jews, etc..bringing up the past! Jesus Christ except the fact you are black and you are just not pretty and not liked! Case closed..Good Nite!

These are also the same people who will applaud Charlie Sheen who beat several women put a knife to her throat but Chris Brown (who was wrong) is pure evil. There is bad and good in every form of music.

Cuz I ain't crazy, I say s**t that's crazy to crazy people
To make 'em believe I'm crazy so they can relate to me
And maybe believe in Shady so they can be evil baby
I like that! I'm only as crazy as people made me. - Eminem

I guess she hates Robert DeNiro too for playing Scarface.. Or can she acting for what it is, but only in cinema?

She should also, say sorry to the people of Kentucky, for putting down coal mining, For the men and woman that put their life on the line to make a living. All because of her steroytype oppionion on subject of strip mining. I did not see her at any U.K. Basketball games this year. Well it did not show her on T.V. As a U.K. FAN.....

Ashley Judd has every right to publish her opinions about rap/hip hop, or any other subject on which she wishes to hold forth. Just like a hip hop or rap artist has every right to put a couple of paragraphs in his/her book describing how Ashley Judd's writing is reminiscent of a freshman Womens' Studies major who thinks that a stream of polysyllabic feminist buzz words will get her an A on her term paper.

She called it like I see it – rap music completely and totally degrades women. No question about that...then why is that ok? It's not. Call it like it is and don't appreciate. Rap men disrespecting women.

It's true, we d'gradin all kinds of women. A fine chick is a 10. You're probably like a 3. We even call the 10's dimes. If you're curious how they came up with a 10 being a dime, just ask a man to figure it out for you.

what a lot of you fail to realize is that what you hear is put out by the record companies trying to make a profit, most of what sells is crap. however and i cant believe i'm saying this, but there is some hip hop out thats is geared to make the listener think. however that doesnt sell. the $hyt that sells is the beotch and hoe lyrics.

She does not need to apologize, and you can not compare Country Music to, Rap and Hip, Country is music, and you can understand it, and it is embetted into the roots of music, with a clear message, and not words that make you wonder why would anyone say things like that, unless they were not right in their minds, or had been beat up to much that they must ventilate the bad feelings they have, maybe that is it, thrapy for those that do Rap and Hip, yea, maybe its a form of self-disclosure, of what a sap you are and know it. Yea!

Rap/Hip-Hop is the worst example of the Emperor's New Clothes of the modern music business. MIss Judd's comments are dead on and there was no need for her to apologize. At worst, if ever a situation called for making a point through overstatement, this is it. At best, its low art and at worst its brain vomit. To think that generations have been raised on messages of hate, violence, thuggery and misogyny, on the heels of a golden era of music, is a crying shame. Its music that says, "I live in the pit of despair and am proud of it".

The context in which she made these comments was youth Aids awareness. She trivialized the involvement of P Diddy and Snoop Dogg but I think most people would agree, based on their popularity, Diddy and Snoop can bring far more awareness to a cause than Ashley Judd. As far as the hip hop culture is concerned, sure there are a lot of knuckleheads in the business but most of the people involved in hip hop culture(rappers, producers and writers) don't live that lifestyle. It's an act, a role, a product; Ashley Judd as an actress should be more appreciative of that. It might be a hypocritical lifestyle but who I'm I to question how a man or woman makes a living. If I don't like what your selling, I won't buy it. I'm black but I was exposed to a wide genre of music from a young age. My iPod has Kenny Rogers, Coldplay, Def Leppard, 50 cent, Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone and one of the most captivating voices ever, Steve Perry. To me, every genre has something to offer.

more people need to hold their ground and not apologize. she was correct and should have given sharpton,jackson or whoever else was whining about racism the middle finger. theres too many @ss kissers today, no body wants to offend anybody else, even when its deserved. (c)rappers cant even wear their baseball hats correctly, much less anything else.

Don't back down Ashley girl, you got it right the first time. Glorifying ignorance, violence and values towards women that would do the Taliban proud are not to be admired in the 21st century. That goes for any brand of music, religion or politics for that matter. Time to move on and use these big brains evolution has awarded us.

I grew up when music made you want to move, dance and singers that could sing, that to this day you can hear them again, again and they still make you feel good. Hip and Rap does not make me move, want to dance and good singers, I don't know of one, that I think will survive the times, like Marvin, Ray, and Diana, there is no comparision and there never will be, Oh Yea, Santana, The Doors, I could go on and on. Rap and Hip will be gone some day, and maybe we will find good music again, we need it.

She shouldn't have caved. She could have gone much further. So much of Hip Hop "culture" and Rap music has glorified not only misogyny, but a culture of anger, put-downs, criminality, obsession with stupid trinkets and jewelry, drugs, et al. Thanks to those two "art forms" too many kids grew up thinking it is cool to be a do-nothing jerk who acts tough and angry. Cool to be someone who thinks it is better to be destructive than to build things and be friendly.

Sure, some of the rhyming is pretty clever. So what? In addition to the more impressive aspects, Rap and Hip Hop have been very destructive – to the very kids steeped in its "culture."

wow, you are quite the astute one. you must've just finished audting a junior college level sociology course to come up with such a scathing commentary of lil mel g's lyrical content. & whatchu mean, you don't know what a scrimp is? do you know what a prawn is? do you know what seafood is? you assume because everyone doesn't bow @ your feet & praise your "superior" analysis of the comments people made about ashley judd that you don't even know & criticize them as woodstock era drug using pigs and/or tea baggers. i believe your behavior is more symptomatic of your own insecurities which you seem to be trying to disguise as arrogance & superiority. well, we're not buying any of it. i think someone needs a hug. like all art & music, some of it is good, & some of it is crap, that's just the way it is. there does happen to be a lot of rap/hip hop music that glamorizes gangsterism, drugs & the exploitation of women but there is also a % that doesn't. what ashley judd said wasn't patently wrong, but since it is viewed as a generalization, people are all over it, if she were stating facts & had some statistical data to back it up, would you take it more seriously? or do you just take yourself so seriously that you can't accept any criticism of your race or something that you like on any level? because that's the feeling i'm getting from reading your many knee jerk posts. i'll just wait for you to fire back @ how i'm either a tea bagger or a hippie from the 60's. you're on.

Some Country is good. Most sucks.
Some R&B is good. Most sucks.
Some Heavy metal is good. Most sucks.
Some Hip Hop is good. Most sucks.
Some Techno is good. Most sucks.
Some Rock & Roll is good. Most sucks.

not sure where this is going...............
ashley judd........isnt that the ho from charmed, lol?

I love her with all my heart
Every vein, every vessel, every bullet lodged
With every flower that I ever took apart
She said, that she would give me greatness, status, placement
Above the others, my face with grace covers of the magazines
Of the hustlers, paper, the likes of which
That I had never seen, her eyes glow green
With the logo of our dreams, the purpose of our scene
A obscene obsession for the bling
She would be my queen, I could be her king, together
She would make me cool, and we would both rule, forever
And I would never feel pain
And never be without pleasure, ever, again
And if the rain stops, and everything's dry
She would cry, just so I could drink the tears from her eyes
She'd teach my how to fly, even cushion my fall
If my engines ever stall, and I plummet from the sky
But she would keep me high, and if I ever die
She would commission my image on her bosom, to him
Or maybe she'd retire as well
A match made in Heaven set the fires in Hell, and I'll be

I love seeing all the comments on how terrible rap is! Its good fun to hide behind your keyboard and bash an entire genre of music. In all honesty rap music may be the best type of music ever created, it certainly is the most popular. Can any of you honestly say you don't know who Snoop Dog is? Hip hop is everywhere (TV, movies, sports, fashion, etc), you can't leave the house without seeing the influence of hip hop culture. I totally understand people don't like change but they will have to get over it, hip hop is here to stay, it is real music and the world has accepted it. Seems like there is a lot of denial going on and less acceptance. Lets get on the same page people

Actually the presence of rap and hip hop culture in the media could simply be seen to show how heavily corporatized and artistically defunct it is. You don't see Bob Dylan on billboards, but his music encouraged people to take an active role in improving their world.

yea some rap is degrading. Just like some Rock is. If you choose to listen to it or you let your kids listen to it who is really at fault. All that being said as a black guy I don't see the outrage. So what she doesn't like rap big deal nothing to waste your time thinking about or being outraged about.

mw-maryland says: "She shouldn't have to explain herself. A lot of African-Americans agree including myself. Give me the 60's and 70's anyday when it comes to music."

Uh-huh. Are we talking about the era where Jimi Hendrix went on stage with tabs of LSD tucked into his headband? The era of TIMOTHY LEARY? The era of Jefferson Airplane singing about taking a MUSHROOM that makes your mind slow(in "White Rabbit")? You know what? Why don't ALL of you rap-haters on here go listen to some of that music from the 60s and 70s now that you're SOBER enough to think clearly about the lyrics. That would cure your HYPOCRISY if you weren't too proud to admit the truth about a lot of what you loved back in the day. The SIGHT of all you ex-hippies complaining about the drugs and violence going on in today's music is too funny.

You would all do yourselves some good to go out and listen to Gift Of Gab, Saul Williams, Sarah Jones, Atmosphere, Akrobatik, Roots Manuva and Latyrx... don't listen to the stuff you hear on the radio.
And all you chicks that say hip hop is misogynist, are probably out dancing shaking your booty in the clubs to the music. You know you are.

While I understand that rap is not the type of music that everyone enjoys, it’s unfair to say that it shouldn’t be considered music or that it promotes drugs and violence. True, like other music, some artist chose to do that but not all. News flash-there is violence, drugs and hoes out there.
“They say my ghetto intrumental, detrimental to kids
As if they can't see the misery in which they live
Blame me, for the outcome, ban my records – check it
Don't have to bump this but please respect it”
-Krazy by Tupac

a large percentage of what is currently classified as rap falls into the "gangsta" rap category. and its mostly crap. the days of tupac quality are long past. there are some exceptions but they are just that exceptions.

sorry i don't think theres a problem with most of what she said. i don't think she's necessarily off base either with regards to rap and hip hop. but, as a guy when she goes in to the whole social construct of gender and global inequality schpeel that is where its a problem for me. i used to think she was attractive but now she sounds like a feminist. and thats fine if she really believes that but those really seem like the beliefs of someone who is unhappy on some level.

She should have worded it differently and not lumped it all into a big category but there is a huge portion of that type of music that does refer to women as 'hos' and worse. It gets so boringly old. Yes, we get it, you want to have s e x with women and use them. Boring. If the artists were creative about it it wouldn't be quite as bad but much of it is totally offensive to women and girls.

She shouldn't have to apologize for her opinions. If she feels that a particular type of music is offensive in anyway she shouldn't need to explain herself. Certainly Kanye West wouldn't bite his tongue if he found something offensive towards him....

if current rap had half the integrity of publc enemy i would say the apology was warranted. unfortunately its all just crap these days.
hiphop on the other hand is too broad a musical genre to classify. its like saying rock is evil when you really mean deathmetal.

She is right about rap/hip hop. What's the controversy? The innuendo she speaks of doesn't show up in those genre?? Furthermore, it isn't music, so let's not even go there, okay? This is maddening verse put to a beat. Music is a logical flow of tone; it is the logic of the note progression that produces the flow and its melodious nature. To compare the progressions of Mozart to the noise produced by Puffy D, or whatever his name is, is profane.

Well of course not, you can't dance with a girl to Mozart...unless you are a bit of an odd couple lol. I've sampled a lot of insane violin chords from him though, thanks Mozart! R.I.P with your stinking azz lol

@Gary I'm sorry could you repeat that? I was distracted by news articles full of tea baggers screaming about resorting to 2nd amendment remedies to solve political disputes. Then, just as I was about to give you my full attention, I was distracted by an article about a bunch of over-paid, lazy white Republicans calling for cuts to the education budget to pay for rich peoples' tax cuts.

I'm sure we can debate your attempt at pretending to be intelligent. Hang on, let me turn down the sermon from that COLLEGE DROP-OUT Glenn Beck, or Rush(lol who can tell the difference between UNEDUCATED white drop-outs whining about America lately?). Now...you were saying something about people encouraging the idea that being uneducated is OK and that dividing the country to exploit its wealth?

Amen! Rush and Beck and all those teabaggers run their mouths and say stupid ignorant crap too, and some of them use drugs too.... Hmmm, maybe rap is ruining the world after all. Maybe it's politicans and ignorance ruining. I think as Americans we have a right to be bitter and jaded that these pseudointellectuals parade themselves as "patriots" but would never actually get off their butts to do anything

About 95% of you are the most ignorant people I've had the displeasure of witnessing speak on a subject that you have no idea about. Please, if all you've heard in hip hop/rap is the admittedly awful radio cuts, then you have no basis for opinion whatsoever. I can see if you don't like the music because it doesn't APPEAL to you, but to make frank generalizations such as "Oh, it's so misogynistic and it's crap and it's just drugged out thugs sampling music and slurring over loops" only makes you look like bigger idiots. Yes, all of you are idiots. For example, did you know there IS a difference between rap and hip hop? I bet most of you didn't know, but those two terms are not interchangeable. There is a subculture of the two genres that deals with struggles in the community, struggles in religion and faith, the effects of abusive relationships, the world as it is today, and so forth. To liken the music to a few Snoop Dogg tracks you heard on the radio is absurd. If this is the case, then the Beatles are slimy cuckolds and all rock music is trash and about partying, drinking, getting high, and fornication. There are people in every genre of music that are going to be vulgar. Why? Because VULGAR SELLS RECORDS. Even the most vulgar artists have the most introspective songs at times, but if you base your opinion on early 2000's Nelly songs, you definitely won't be able to accept it as a culture and art form. And yes, it is an art form; before you rant about how "easy" it is and how anyone can do it, then go write a few quality verses that have a coherent theme about a real life issue, record it, make some money, and give me a shout out in a few months or so on MTV. If you can do that, I'll give you 6 months' salary.

And for the last time, stop with the "Rap Crap" or "(c)rap" talk; really, don't talk about hip hop artists not being original when you're still using mid-90's slang.

Thank you Ashley Judd for exposing Hip Hop and Rap Music to your audience. You can't turn on your television without seeing HIP HOPs influence. I saw a soft drink commercial with a white girl "droppin it like it's hot"....SMH. This never would have been possible if not for your assumed Elitism. In return for your generosity, I plan buy (and read) your book.

Compared to the many other genres of music that have been born from urban cultures, such as from the 50s through the 70s, Hip Hop seems to have reversed any progress made towards advancing minorities, and our culture in general. Instead, it has become the soundtrack for unspoken urban mantras such as, "it's OK to be uneducated, let's post videos of people beating the hell out of eachother on Youtube, let's divide ourselves from the rest of society while pilfering all we can on the way out". I certainly hope urban America once again stands up to be all they can be; to gain a voice which stands for advancement instead of complacency within its self hatred.

It all comes down to this: Mean what you say, and say what you mean. You are weak, if you say something, and then recant because of public pressure. If that's really how she felt, she should stand by her words. Otherwise, choose your words more carefully before speaking.

ok where do we start...... ashely ur an idiot if u didnt know this was going to come back and bite u in the face.... in our generation anything u say about black people is offensive and wrong and etc. however black people are allowed to say anything they want about whites and play the whining game... its not that hip hop/rap is bad its the stuff that goes along with it like their depictions of drug dealing killings guns violence and no respect for women that make it bad... ye white kids buy that music but so what black kids buy all the white guys ideas clothing and try to get with any white women they can.... this has nothing to do with black or white its about the effect "some" of these artists leave behind that can hurt our culture since our culture tries to imitate the rich and famous and anyone whos in the spotlight....

Hilarious. I'm an attorney, own several businesses, and generally am content with life...and I've been listening to rap since '79! As others have pointed out, there are about 40 genres of hip hop, many of which I don't like. But what I do listen to, I love. There has never been a musical form which has packed so much lyrical content into a song. Can anyone name one track by Krs-One, De La Soul, Talib Kweli, the Roots, or K'Naan that is anything but positive? I encourage my children to listen to these artists and any other musical form with substance.

The only thing that went wrong with hip hop was Public Enemy's movement from mainstream, and split with Professor Griff. That movement scared a lot of ignorant people, and it's too bad none of the youth today will be influenced by it.

It takes a nation of Millions to Hold Us Back – Greatest Album Ever!
"The revolution's been in effect, go get a late pass"

Ashley's right. It's just the hip hop genre that denigrates women. All hip hops fault. Rock and Roll respects and hold women to a high standard. No misogyny of women in rock n roll. Please! R u kidding me?!!! Rap music was born in the late 70's, rock and roll been around for 20 yrs saying and doing anything they want to and about women. Spare me. I guess it's on the small/big screen, also. Hollywood leads the way in this category, and I seriously doubt if Ashley will speak on that. Wake up. If u don't like the music, don't listen to it.

Don't apologize for me..what you said of rap is true...sick of the females who participate...artists..(Rhianna on all fours like a dog). If you have talent..dont' let them "puppet" you. No talent? Then by all means..be a "poser".

posted by: JWG – "One only needs to drive in the hood once to see that the rap/hip-hop culture is garbage."

WHY do people on here keep trying to LIE about the fact that this criticism of rap IS racially motivated? I mean one white person after another keeps coming in here posting stuff like the above, and you KEEP acting like you don't see it while complaining about accusations of racism. Hmmmm, I guess it's DIFFERENT when somebody hurls generalized accusations at YOU, huh? LOL!

@Beth: You lost these knuckle-draggers the second you mentioned Wagner. They only PRETEND to have some sense of culture. In reality, they're just mad because Metallica cut their hair and they're still trying to hold on to some fantasy that any genre of music mostly dominated by whites is "superior" to everything else.

thj
Thank you for your comment. I totally echo your sentiments. I too am Black and don't care for a lot of the negative rap music. However, if this woman wrote a book, which had to be read an reread, edited and reedited before it was published and printed, then she said exactly what she wanted to say. It's the equivalent of the lawyer in the courtroom who says something that he knows shouldn't be said, gets admonished by the judge, and then apologizes. He still got it into the heads of the jurors and everyone else, even if the judge tells the jurors to disregard the remark.
And you are so very right about white people always professing their opinions (mostly negative) about all other cultures except their own. They consider themselves experts on everybody else which, of course, means they are without flaws. Hypocrites, cultural thieves, most esploitative and on and on...

Saying that whites don't criticize their own culture is a ludicrous thing to say. You either live under a rock and are completely blind to the world around you or you are a deeply racist person who makes things up to insult others.

What?! All white people do is criticize each other, as well as themselves. Don't you see all of that botox being injected these days? Tanning ring a bell to you? Wait...I didnt mean ALL white people! just many ; )

She was right to correct her record. Parts of rap and hip-hop are absolutely misogynist. However, it is not all that way. This music speaks to many in a way that other types do not. I'm a classically trained musician who will gladly admit that the music of Richard Wagner is some of the most wonderful around. The composer himself was an anti-semitic hateful human being. To watch his operas is to see his ideas of racial superiority working out in front of you. But we don't throw away all of his music or all opera. We acknowledge the limitations of the humans who create music.

I believe rap and hip hop is over rated. I 'll be the first to admit I use to love both types of music,but it has been run into the ground over and over with the same theme and lyics,and its got "old". Ashley had a right just like others to voice her opinion. I've heard a few educators say that rap music has just ruined what they have been trying to teach children in english,by pushing it back at least 50 years. Our children can't spell correctly,much less read the words if they are spelled in the correct manner. If the word is With,they can't read it,but if its Wit,they can. Whats up with that Rap thats what. I don't think Ashley should have apologized clear and simple. Even Bill Cosby who is a dearly loved actor is trying to do something about the vulgar words in rap music.

Whether or not you like rap, or agree with her comments, has nothing to do with this discussion. She shouldn't apologize for anything because it's okay for someone to have, and express an opinion, especially if it's in a book they've written. Those people who are pressuring her for an apology or threatening her with violence are the people we should be concerned about. They are the same kind of people who blow up planned parenthoods, murder Dutch cartoonists, or knife opposing fans at soccer games, and yes I'm generalizing but guess what? It's completely okay for a freethinking person living in a free country to generalize... The sad apart about the whole thing is that the only reason she apologized isn't because she got death threats, it's because she's afraid of being called a racist, which in this screwed up society we live in, is almost worst than death.

@thegreenface, first of all, Walk this way was written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry in 1975. Run DMC recorded their song in 1986. Second, It is never OK for any singer , rapper or otherwise to sing about abuse. If you read the article it says she worked with snoop and diddy on some charity projectsand i am sure that is why she chose to name them. If she had worked with kid rock or emenim she would have named them as well.

Why must we apologize for everything we say in this country? She obviously meant what she said and should have stuck to her guns! Coward!!!! I listen to all genres of music and believe that they all have artist that present things that offend others....IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THEN DONT LISTEN TO IT!!!!!!!!!! You can't make everyone happy that is just how the world works!

Ms. Judd's comments, unfortunate though they may have been, are not without a semblance of truth. And for those sanctimonious jerks who quote the lines from one Beatles song to suggest that many other artists write misogynistic lyrics, you have missed the point. Look at the artist's ENTIRE body of work before making such a stupid remark. When you do so it becomes apparent that artists like Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and Dr. Dre among others use misogynism and violent imagery against women quite liberally in their recorded works whereas the Beatlesk, Aerosmith, et.al., do not.

Black power! Haters! Rap music ain't going anywhere. I bet you when you go out to the bars, lounges and clubs, you'll hear rap music. Thats how we do it. Lets see, 30 years ago, rap wasn't that big, now it is. You're just jealous cause black folks are way cooler and be doing way more white chix than your sorry a$$.

White power! Haters! White METAL music ain't going anywhere.. Thats how we do it. Lets see, 30 years ago, METAL was big, it still is – it's not genre that will fade. Metal bands still sell more albums than Rap worldwide as Metal is much more popular in Central/South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle-East than rap and hip hop. You're just jealous cause white folks are way cooler and have better life expectancy and prospects, and be doing way more black and asian chix than your sorry a$$.

If this is still America, i believe Ashley is ALLOWED to have an opinion. Rap is everything she said it is. Just the fact that people found TWO paragraphs to whine and boo hoo over is actually PROVING her opinion about rap. And the AUDACITY that she should APOLOGIZE to these people who are not every going to read her book or buy it is outrageous !!! Its simply her opinion. Live and let live.

JR: why dont you ponder the many inventions you is utilizing made from "hillbillies".

Why recant? She said it... she meant it... why change course under political pressure? If thats what you believe Miss Judd, stand by it, own it... dont back down like very other spineless celebrity. It would be nice to see someone stand up for what they believe rather then break under political pressure. It doesnt matter if the world thinks its wrong... do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law! Noone is perkekt and noone is right... truth has no name... its just opinion. Lean it, live it, love it!

I love whites!!!I love their azz'z and skin tone!!!!I always wanted to be a white lebian.I also love lesbians on crack.I also eat poop while listening to rap!!!You go girl and we can do lesbian things together

Ms. Judd's clarification is among the most skilled and nuanced I've ever heard. It should go down in the anals of public relations history as the all-time best and most complete example of "clarification" of provocative statements. Her publicitist is a genius. But because I respect her as an artist, I have no reason to believe that these remarks are not also sincere.

This is just like those shut ins in the 50s and 60s who said that rock and roll promoted devil worshipping lifestyles. Just a bunch of religious prudes who don't like new music and act like all the problems in the world are caused by something as insignificant as a music genre.

...and this is why America will always be behind the curve on things. None of you can get along long enough to discuss anything in a civilized manner. To each their own. Live and let live. These are famous quotes for a reason, because they're a dream. They're everyones' dream. Perhaps if everyone weren't too busy ridiculing everyone elses' works and thoughts, and opinions, you could be making some of your own. Try that on for size. Don't you guys get tired of reading the same comments over and over again. There's always the good guy and the bad guy, and the guy who just wants to be a smartass and ruin everyones' night. Why can't they're just be the civil guy, who sees the validity in both sides of a story, and tries to connect them, and meet in the middle.

The anonymity of the internet provides a veil for people to voice their true feelings. Very few of the comments that have been made here would ever be made in a face-to-face conversation with the same group of people. Sadly, this is what our world has come to.

This apology is disingenuous at its best, first of all. To amend the statement with the word "most" or "some" doesn't fix the issue. It was a comment borne out of some true feelings, of which, if you truly feel that way, why apologize? The people you most likely offended are not fans of your craft to begin with. I, for one, can not recall ever seeing a movie with Ashley Judd, nor have I wanted to, honestly. Her movies just don't appeal to me.

As usual, whenever hip-hop/rap music comes up for debate, there are a lot of inflammatory and ignorant comments to be made. And these comes from both sides of the spectrum, mind. Yes, there are a lot of rappers who promote ignorance, misogny, and violence in their lyrics. I blame the shameless promotion of that on the record labels and the media that choose to saturate the masses with that type of filth on the radio and on TV all day everyday. (BET and urban radio, I'm looking at you...) Yes, there are a lot of rappers who choose not to promote such things in their music and most of these artists are labeled as "underground" because they choose not to bow to commercial pressure when plying their craft. No one ever seem to take them in consideration when making generalizations. There are rock bands, country bands and pop bands who, covertly, promote the same agenda of mind-dulling music but the discussion is never as heated as it is when it comes to hip-hop/rap. Why is that?

And yes, those of us who listen to hip-hop, real hip-hop, probably read more than most of the people who claim we don't. Just sayin'

I don't think she should have retracted her comment. I don't believe in what she said because it's too big of a generalization but I can understand her point of view. I'm not sure why everyone is making this a racial issue – as she did not mention race even once.

She should have never added the word "some" to her comment. She never condemned "all" rap and hip hop to be the root of all evil – she said, "most." If anything, she should have just said that most rap and hip hop currently being played in the media is the soundtrack of misogyny.

Unfortunately you can't make such a huge generalization without driving people bonkers. There are many bands/performers in several different genres that have inappropriate lyrics, etc. You can't also point the finger on one form of media. Television, the internet, movies, radio, even literature is guilty of sending out volatile messages. None of that should be censored – you and your children should be educated and able to know what's right and wrong, real and fake.

It is "performed" by people with low intellect, and indeed many are or have been criminals. They have no talent except memorizing a poorly-written poem (I did that in grade school) and moving to one of their "beatz".

Rap has destroyed MTV, most of the music award shows, and now I see it forced down our throats on some TV commercials which were hideous and intellectually insulting enough to begin with.

Not really.. go listen to Lupe Fiasco.. he has some intellectual stuff in his rap. It's about the real world and he doesn't use any abusive language.. There are many other artists who do the same.. It's just the gangster rap that brings down the good side of hip-hop music.

I don't think its either or...all black or all white. I had some preconceptions about hip hop and some of my kids educated me. Screamo...rap – it's all a mixed bag just as rock is. If you have a song writer who's a misogynist, well – ahem...wysiwyg.
But to say that there isn't a woman hating, crime elevating theme to alot of this music would be dishonest. And it crosses so many of the genres. And to me, that's really the issue and the problem. Music that would seem to exist solely to elevate and idealize misogyny, crime and drug use.

Not really a big rap music fan but the only kind I ever did like was Gangsta rap! Songs about hos, guns, drugs, pigs, the hood. Hey its just entertainment for most people. No different than watching a gangster movie like Goodfellas or Scarface. Does not mean you want to emulate the behavior.

EXACTLY! I'M A GROWN , MARRIED W/ 2 CHILDREN; AGES 5 & 3, MIDDLE CLASS, BLACK WOMAN WHO HAS LISTENED TO HIP HOP AND RAP SINCE THE EARLY 80'S. MY BLACK HUSBAND AND I HAVE ENJOYED RAP FROM N.W.A TO COMMON AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. WE OWN A COPIOUS AMT OF RAP AND HIP HOP RECORDINGS. HOWEVER, THE GENRE HAS CHANGED FOR THE WORST OVER THE YEARS AND IT IS TRUE THAT FINDING GOOD OR POSITIVE HIP HOP & RAP HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING. THAT SAID, I AM NOT, NOR IS MY HUSBAND, A LIAR, THIEF, MURDERER, THUG, DRUG DEALER, MISOGYNIST, DRUNK OR GANG MEMBER. WE GO TO WORK DAILY, ARE GOOD NEIGHBORS, LIVE NORMAL LIVES, AND HAVE UNIVERSITY DEGREES. INDIVIDUALS DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. LISTENING TO , READING ABOUT, WATCHING A MOVIE ABOUT CRIME/VIOLENCE DOES NOT MAKE PEOPLE VIOLENT. POVERTY DOES; WHEN SOMEONE'S BASIC HUMAN NEEDS ARE NOT BEING MET. PEOPLE NEED TO STOP ATTACKING MUSIC AND FOCUS THEIR ENERGY ON COMBATING POVERTY.

Hey, Appalachian hillbilly, stick to what you're good at and leave things that you don't know or understand alone. I hate your idealized bluegrass and country. It symbolizes nothing but white trash-hillbilly mores that have no impact on my life. Stick to films and parroting what you're told to say. You do that much better than expressing your thoughts. Clearly, people openly critical of other genres don't have a clue on what is being expressed.

SHe said nothing wrong. It is funny how rap teaches hate and to worship Nike and Jacob the jewler and drug dealers and the promotion of the N word , and everyone is so scared to point that out. Get a clue and get a life.

Uhh... last I checked she's spot on about the genres and the artists.
Doesn't mean I don't like to listen to it, but most of it disrespects women and trivializes the need to treat others with respect while instead glorifying violence and selfishness.

I love how people are called 'racist' when they criticize a genre of music that is dominated by mostly blacks....it has nothing to do with skin color. Rap and hip hop suck, race has nothing to do with it.

I love how people pretend that race has nothing to do with why they GO OUT OF THEIR WAY to complain about rap music over and above ALL others. They act like they never listen to it, and then act like they claim to know what it's all about...that's called PREJUDICE(or "premature judgement"). So since you've ALREADY proven that you'll judge a genre you pretend to know nothing about, the fact that you practically trample each other whenever there's a chance to hate on rappers is a big clue. And you can ALWAYS tell what's at the core of it by just looking at the charts. All the rappers around the world like Blackalicious, Element, Common who have earned GENUINE respect from here to Berlin and back...and you MFers flock to help Kid Rock go platinum while complaining about a lack of substance in the genre. Then ya got these people who come on this board and say they think everyone defending rap are on welfare or something, but funny how THAT ish just slides right on by your complaints about racism. LMAO! Ya really don't need to wear the hood and sheets anymore, but you're welcome to bring a burning cross in here...if ya chain it to your own back.

HAHAHA! The funniest thing about all this, is that most of the people whining about rap on here would be the FIRST to squeal like pigs if somebody made blanket statements about racism in the tea bagger movement, or pro-white racism guiding the entertainment business Ashley Judd has made so much money on. You wanna talk about women being treated poorly and unfairly? Holy...rap music can't even TOUCH Hollywood in that department. It's not even a CONTEST. NOTHING rappers have done could touch what goes on in movies like SAW, HOSTEL, or SUCKER PUNCH. But I guess it's aaaaall right...when it's all WHITE! And don't bother gettin' mad or accusing me of racism, because if Judd can be excused for generalizing, then so can I.

What happened to free speech in this country? We cant say a damn thing without someone crying over it and forcing an apology. IF you dont like what someone says, if its not about you directly, shutthe f%$k up and quit acting like a three year old! Its their RIGHT to say what they want in THEIR memoir, no one said you have to agree, just keep your mouth shut

No she just lost all credibility for anything he has to say in the future. If all it takes is some "internet" backlash, for her to crumble then she needs to grow another spine before opening her mouth.

Why is she apologizing? To understand why, you have to understand the "victim hierarchy" that is integral to modern liberal thought. Blacks are seen as "bigger historical victims" than white women. Therefore, despite rap's abusive, vicious, and criminal messages, an intelligent white woman like Ashley Judd is expected to apologize for mentioning these blatantly obvious facts.

I dislike, perhaps even hate, rap. However, we should all agree that we are glad how much rap has affected Arab and Muslim centric countries, in a way that no mullah or anti-mullah propaganda has. Hip-hop and R&B are much better.

Do you think GWB's invasion of Iraq raised awareness of freedom in the Mid-east? That would be a joke. It is RAP, and may be Hip Hop and R&B.

Rap says – freedom to say what you want and the world wants that freedom. Ahmadinejad, King Saud, Gaddafi, Asad. Hamas, Communists – they don't like it.

F' That. Why appologize about something that is true and honest? What is the point in making a statement or giving your thoughts on the matter if you appologize for what you say? Hell just keep your mouth shut and dont say anything atleast then you dont have the chance of losing your career.

Hip Hop not music maybe, Rap, has been going on since music was recorded, just a different way. I love all types of music, I am 64. There was music with bad lyrics waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back. Example: Goin Down Slow, All That Meat And No Potatoes, Gonna Have Some (Ball) Tonight, just sayin. If you love music, it should be for listening and feeling good all over. Music is good and bad, but love all music.

Why should she apologize? She has a right to her opinion. I don't like rap and hip hop very much either. A lot of these guys are just thugs with no talent, they're making a ton of money, and doing nothing but living it up and buying themselves a nice automobile collection. Most of them don't give back in any way, shape or form. I'm disgusted by it, and I'm not going to apologize for that.

She has nothing to apologize for, rap & hip hop has ruined the youth of this country, young people have become lazy and disrespectful towards others and to their own parents, some adults act no better.
Lieu and crew behavior is accepted everywhere now it's disgraceful.

Why compromise your integrity by the quick back-stroke? It is unbecoming for such an intelligent being. Misogyny is endemic within the 'hip-hop' & 'rap' cultures. They do not balk at their message – why should you?

Believe it or not, being white is not a crime – regardless how some might wish to criminalize caucasion existence. The only crime is that it is perfectly acceptable to belong to a 'Black American Club' or a 'Mexican American Club'. If this is not racist well, I do not know what the definition of racism might be.

I totally agreed with Ashley's written opinions & like so many others fail to understand why she caved in with the apology when she was so right. I cannot understand any woman supporting rap music when it is trash writing. Nat King Cole, Johnny Matthias, The Supremes, Queen Aretha, Ray Charles made timeless music. Junk is junk no mattter how you look at it. Rap is trash-junk & I stand by my opinion. I will buy Ashley's book & hope that women of all ages will follow my example. Why? Because Ashley speaks for many that had been silent and ashamed for things done to them when they were defenseless.

She's right and I admire her for saying it, after all she received death threats, would a black rap artist receive death threats for saying it? Apparently there are more misogynists out there than anyone could ever perceive. The black community clearly needs to address this issue. Now. Ashley Judd is one of my personal heroes, I admire her conviction and personal beliefs. She is one of the greats, not afraid to speak out for women. Thank you Ashley, but you shouldn't have caved in.

First off, I really just want to point out that I don't think Ashley meant anything racist. She is criticizing the lyrics of rap and hip hop songs because they SOMETIMES (as she corrected) promote violence towards women. She wasn't picking on the black community...there is a huge culture of white people that listen to rap and hip hop. And guess what? You hear about white husbands/boyfriends/etc killing or beating their women all the time! She is just saying in general, this music can sometimes promote violence to ANY race that listens to it. She wasn't being racist and I think everyone needs to really get off that issue. Not everything is based on color. Just take it for what it's worth.

Yes, Hip-Hop, rap, and the auto-tuned crap called "R&B" is misogynistic, stupid and violent.
But those are not the bad points.
1- Sampling the "hook" (the part of a song that's the "catchy") from other songs makes for lazy hits. Of course if you put the guitar lick from "Werewolf of London" people are going to listen. Sampling is not an "art". It is a way to get a mundane song radio play.
2- Almost every rap song details just how gee-darn cool the "artist" is or just how totally bad-ass they must be.
3- Do these artists know that here are a whole bunch of time signatures?
4- R & B has lost both the rhythm and the blues.
5- Unless the lead singer is totally doable don't even try to get a contract.
6- Multimillionaire rappers killing each other over what coast they're from. When you have a bottomless bank account, you can make room.
7- I like a good beat and bass line pumping through my $500 sub-woofer, but the other 6 speakers are there too. They want to work too.

Tag on all the stuff Judd says and that pretty much sums up the pop music industry today.

I fail to see the first thing about her statements that is even REMOTELY incorrect. Well said, Ms. Judd. Apologize for NOTHING. There is an entire culture of people who are congregants in the church "Our Lady of the Perpetually Offended," and we should have NO USE for those people.

I agree with most here that she had nothing to be sorry for regarding her comments about RAP music in general. Sure there are exceptions, but the majority of this garbage is fueling the minority community and a great many suburban white kids as well into thug-like behavior. Multi-millionaire RAP pimps like Russel Simmons peddled this poison to all of our kids and now he enjoys his filthy wealth and pretends to be a clean cut rich man. What a joke.

I like hip hop and rap. However, there really is no denying that rap and hip hop promote violence towards women and gays, promotes a street thug mentality where being a pimp with gold teeth and a merlot painted Cadillac is better than getting an education and becoming a useful member of society. Rap and hip hop promote a misogynistic lifestyle versus one of more social norm. Doesn't everyone who has seen a Jay Z video know this to be true?

You can't really blame & categorize Hip-Hop. Just as a Hip-Hop song can be violent or suggestive, so can Rock and Country. Music is expression, a way of telling stories through alternative means, so, It can really be about anything & that's any genre. So it'd be a false statement to say it's just Hip Hop music - really, all the flashy cars, materialism, and slang would be considered traits of a 'culture'. With saying -that-, you can't just blame the hip-hop culture... because not only is it the hip hop culture, it's popular culture in general. You see all the things that are "wrong" in hip hop, in movies as well... basically it's the entire entertainment industry. It's in our culture, in the media we consume, and all the entertainment. So, lets not blame Hip Hop as the root of the problem, lets look at our culture as a whole & determine where to start... which is in the home.

Oh btw chuck berry and lil richard are the true inventors of rock n roll thats y it was labeled the devils music blues and country no difference both genres whine about women leaving and hard time so before u self rightous a**cracks dismiss rap all music has a birthplace in other genres get your music facts right

She might have some valid points about rap but I bet you my entire paycheck this week that she did not write those words. I bet you two paychecks that she doesn't know what half of those words even mean.

I'm a hip hop respected writer/performer, and I totally agree with ms. judd!!!!! Most, not some....MOST of these (c)rap/hip hop so-called 'artists' are a complete embarrassment to the african-american race. And then you've got Mr. Jay-Z Knowles telling oprah the most ridiculous ignorant nonsense about how using the N-word is perfectly fine. Horsefeathers!!!! GO TO COLLEGE JayZzzzzzz, Sean Puffy Didn't, Chrissy Brown..... Prove to us that you are not as ignorant and stupid as you act. Show some respect for our race and for women!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP EMBARASSING OUR RACE and GENDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With love, from a wise educated black man.

So very well said. This ongoing generalization regarding gender and race in America is appalling. So indicative of a community that seems to prefer communicating within the safety and anonymity of the internet as opposed to face to face discourse. So much that we read as commentary is such one would never offer within a level, personal and honest conversation.

Hip Hop = Dead Poet's Society
March to your own beat and say what you will over funky drums. boom bap, boo boom boom bap! They said rap is what? crap? can you believe that? Did you read that? Oh snap! It's feedback! I need that...really need that, like ASAP.
You are the reason why rap is so successful ; )

Freedom of speech doesn't come with strings. Ms. Judd should not have to apologize. Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church certainly does not. Ice-T did not when he came out with the track "Cop Killer". The Dixie Chicks made no apology when they upset their conservative, pro-Bush fan base.

Therefore, let's not get our taste in music confused with our rights as Americans. I don't like most mainstream hip-hop, yet have no issue with its message. As parents, guardians, and influences on our children, we have the ability to filter what comes into their lives-to an extent. If you find rap to be offensive, don't promote it at home. If you find Ashley Judd's memoirs offensive, do the same. Don't judge simply because of the label.

There are plenty of examples of "offensive" material in hip-hop. The same can be said for country, rock, pop, et al. Let us not forget that before we are music fans, we are Americans. I am a liberal who finds today's evel of political correctness absurd. But I also find the inability to distinguish opinion from unalienable rights to be just as disgusting.

Grow up, people. Be proud of your differences and don't judge someone based on theirs.

I think she needs to just shut the hell up already. Why does every two-bit celebrity think the public is dying to read their life story? It amazes me that these people are so full of themselves. Also, her "apology" really isn't one, is it?

Rap has "overstayed" and is "old and tired" compared to what? Rock? Which is literally dead? Country? Which has been around much longer than rap, in fact rap is newer than most other forms of music, yet I guess it's "old" and "tired" now? Let's get some perspective here. The only thing newer than rap is crappy club techno dance music.

Wiki quote from the lemma Marsha Hunt: "Christopher Sanford writes in his book Mick Jagger that when the Rolling Stones released the song "Brown Sugar" there was immediate speculation that the song referred to Hunt or to soul singer Claudia Lennear. In her 1985 autobiography, Real Life, Hunt acknowledged that "Brown Sugar" is about her, among a few other songs, a fact she reiterated in her 2006 book Undefeated. When Hunt was asked how she felt about the song for an interview with the Irish Times in 2008, Hunt said "it doesn't make me feel any way at all."

Seriously, Ashely, damage control, for what? The black community is pretty much the only ones that are offended by these truths, and they are not going to your movies anyway. What's lost? IThis policially correct pandering is getting so tiresome.

I am black and I (along with many others) am not offended. Alot of us agree with what she is saying. She wasn't wrong for apologizing for the wording because it did give the impression that she was making an inaccurate generalization. However, i do agree with the thought that she was trying to convey in that Rap has to accept some level of responsibility (as with all of us) for society's ills.

The only thing I don't like about Ashley Judd is that she abridges her OWN opinion because it upsets others. F'em. It's an opinion, we all have them (like you know what), and they all stink.

I happen to agree with her – rap was fine in its early years, but now it's become a lifestyle. Idiots listen to this stuff, trying to look "hard"....what do you expect? SHE'S RIGHT! I need to friend request her...

Ashley, we all know you still hold true to these beliefs and probably only apologized because it could have possibly affected book sales. But guess what?! Most people support and believe in just what you said and I am one of them! I am a hip hop fan in the sense that so many great sounds and concepts (minus most of the lyrics of course) come out of it but I too have had enough of the misogynistic nonsense that is being portrayed. You only said what people have been thinking all along.

Why should the woman apologize?! She's telling the truth and I'm proud of her for having the cajones to do it! Rap and hip-hop degrade women and people in general. The black community especially suffers from the stuff. The children have no chance – it's what they aspire to. So sad.

Unfortunately I don't think you can generalize all rap and hip-hop like that. Most of it is utter garbage that panders to the lowest common denominator. So much of it is about the egos of the rappers as well as showing how rich they are or how thug they are. I don't like this because it alienates good rap. There are tons of independent rap artists who no one has ever heard of because they don't sell out but they actually make real music. The problem is not very many people want to hear it. Some examples are artist such as Eyedea and Abilities, Doomtree and Dessa. Some independent rap is bad though too. I still think rap is a valid art form because the combination of instrumentals, high word counts and deep percussion are perfect for expressing a message when done well and with a good cause. The problem is the only rappers people know are the bad ones who are so popular. I agree with what she had to say about women, not all rap does that though.

Well then they should give the genre a new name for less offensive rap. Unfortunately, the bad overshadows the good here. It's way out of control, just like styrofoam and plastic packaging and bags, we are ignoring the root of society's problems.

You know what, she should not be apologizing for anything. She is absolutely right about the rap/hip hop culture. Why split hairs and tap dance around the issue. Freedom of speech is one thing, abusive speech is another. No apologies necessary. It's a huge problem especially with rap and hip hop's reach around the world and into countries whose youth are being led down the wrong path because of this terrible phenomenon.

She should not have to take back her words. She is 100% correct. (c)rap and hip-hop are absolutely responsible for a massive downgrade in society since the 1980's when that garbage started to gain popularity. I would have taken her remarks a lot further than she did. Wish there was a time machine to go back in time and throw all those cd's in the trash before the first morons started playing them on the radio. Total garbage.

I really wish people would stop apologizing at the slightest whisp of negativity to their comments. AND...she apologizes due to comments she read on the internet???? Are you kidding me??? Half the people on this feedback forum will be cursing at each other over a topic that has NOTHING even to do with the Ashley Judd story that they are posting under in the first place! Years ago, when rock was trashed by the older generation, no one seemed to go out of their minds over it.

She has no reason to apologize for her remarks, it is a free world, so far and her opinion is her opinion. It does how-ever go right along with a large portion of the country in their thinking of rap.
Most rap you listen to is crap...loud, abusive, vulgar..at least it is at the University i work at. You hear it blaring out of cars, dorm rooms, and frat AND sorority houses. I am sure there is some decent rap music out there but for the most part, it is done by wanna be singers who can't so they rap....

IMO, she had a valid point. Don't get me wrong, I hate most rap and hip-hop stuff, almost as much as "old style" country (my dog died, and my wife took off with my best friend stuff). I think she was very genuine and honest in her correction of "some" instead of "all". I myself am still politically incorrect by liking Mencia’s Dee Dee Dee song (I work with so many ). Good recovery Ashley!

Funny how everyone is so fast to kick down rap... at the same time EVERY genre of music steals from it... i heard a country song called bandonkadonk... hmmmmmm wonder where they got that word from? or rock now how no artists are singing, but are actually just rapping over rock music. or every r&b or pop artist has to get a rapper on their cd or video.. or worse, they attempt to rap and show you just how much skills it really takes... lets not forget advertising for things black people aren't buying, but they feel the need to rap about guess jeans and big macs and kia's. or movies that you watch a western and somehow a rap song is in it... or video games... orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr........

but when it fits your argument, suddenly its horrible and takes no talent.. i'd love to see a day go by where any one of you don't come across rap music in some form... usually for a product or by a person who you admire or like

If anyone thinks Ashley should apologize, please walk down the street and take a good look at the first rap-listening idiot you see who is too stupid to pull his pants far enough up to cover his bloody corn hole. It will not take long to find one.

As a musician (who plays several different instruments), I would like to interject a few points:
1. Rap (or commonly known as hip-hop) is music. In order for the various dj's and artists to be able to properly mix and sample the pre- recorded works of others together without missing the beat, maintaining time signatures, and continuing in the proper key for any extended period of time requires some level of muscial knowledge and experience. The average blogger that is on this site can't even hum the star-spangle banner and maintain the same key that they started in throughout the song. Also, alot of these artist are now hiring musicians to back them musically on concerts and recordings.

2. Rappers aren't doing anything different than what was done throughout musical history. Putting poems to music has been going for centuries and will continue to do so for many years to come.

3. Rap music isn't plagarism in that before they can even release the album for sale to the public, they must first get permission from the original recording artrist (or copyright holder) to use their music. Also, let's keep in mind that not only the rapper is getting paid but the recording artist is getting paid as well.

4. if it wasn't for rap, many music artists like Spandau Ballet and the Police would have faded in musical obscurity. Many young people wouldn't have known who these artists are and probably would've never known of them. This is probably one of the reasons why rap music hasn't died off in popularity.

5. Rap music has a period in which it was extremely positive. It was in this period that I grew up. Rap has taught many of us to love and appreciate life, fight against societal problems like racism and poverty, and embrace family. Also, let's not forget about christian hip-hop which now pushing its way towards the mainstream.

6. Rap does have a dark side (like ALL other musical genres) and just like all other musical genres, it is this Dark side that receives the most publicity.

7. Lastly, rap does provide some level of hope for those young people who are amongst the por and downtrodden. In fact, rap provides some examples of individuals who rose from poverty and became successful doing it the right way. However, these individuals are overshadowed by a few individuals that still insist on being thugs even in the midst of their success.

Finally, I want to say that I believe that Mrs. Judd is really trying to address an issue that has plagued rap music for quite some time. Even though her wording might lead one to believe that she is referring to all rappers as being the cause of society's ills; I believe that she is not being racist but concerned that men would treat and speak to a woman outside of a respectful manner along with the fact that women would continue to be allowed to be treated and spoken to in that manner as well. The rap community doesn't need to accept some responsibility for the issues that society face. It needs to go beyond giving money to a few charities into actually involving themselves to making a personal impact in the communities that support them and their music (this goes for all of entertainment and society). Furthermore, we all need to understand that we all have to except responsibility for societies woes and not blame others for what we do.

To quote a famous saying, "If you don't stand up for something; you'll fall for anything!!"

On your point #1- This requires a good engineer, not a musician.
I'm pretty sure the Police would have soldiered on.

Sampling the hook from a hit song makes for lazy writing. After all, it's the hook that sells a song. It's often been said that writing a good pop song is very hard because coming up with a good hook is the most difficult part of the process. Sampling makes that part easy.
Almost all rap is basically the artist declaring just how damn good and/or bad he/she is. Sure rock started out that way but within 10 years, it had expanded into an eclectic mix of genres and subjects. Rap is pretty well the same animal it was in the 70's and 80's, with very few exceptions. I like a good beat but there are many more time signatures to use.

Lots of ignorant ppl in here!!! First off, there is lots of rap that doesnt degrad women or talk about drugs!! Anyone heard of Common, Mos Def. Lupe Fiasco, Q Tip, The Roots, Talib Kweli and the list goes on. I LOVE how people in here who really dont know what they are talking about generalize rap music. They just have a racist undertone but think they arent stereotyping or racist. If you dont know what you are talking, please dont provide your stupid comments. Thats the problem with people in this country, they are so divisive!!! Rap originated from hard times and segregation. I love rap and graduatuate college in August and am applying for grad school.

I LOVE how people on this comments secion assume that just because someone doesn't like something they know nothing about it – pure assumption – while accusing them of "generalizing"... mirror mirror on the wall who's argument is the most flawed of all?

Being Michael Jaksons ghost i know that hiphop and rap is just a bunch of lazzy jigggs sitting around smoking doope and making up rhymes. It is a joke. I spoke with Biggie Snalls the other day and he said he is laughing at all the sad ignerant loozers that still spend their welfare checks on his CDs.

I think its a self-righteous stretch to equate rap music with the social construction of gender as the cause of poverty and suffering around the world.

I do not particularly care for most rap music, especially gangsta rap. I don't care for it because I can't relate to it. I'm middle white America. Rap music has it's following and for good reason. It speaks to the people who relate to it.

It's so easy to point the finger and say, "look, they're the problem over there. I can't understand them, so they must be the problem". How very little of you Ashley.

THANK THE STARS SOMEONE HAS SPOKEN UP AGAINST THAT VULGAR STREET TRASH CALLED RAP N HIP HOP. THE MUSIC IS DEGRADING TO WOMEN AND JUST PLAIN VIOLENT AND FOOLISH. IT PROMOTES IGNORANCE AND VIOLENCE AND HAS NO SOCIAL VALUE.

Feminism and modern females insistence on dodging responsibility for their bullcrap is what makes people resent women like Ashley Judd in the first place.You can blame it on rap all you want. But if a woman kills a man senselessly,no one says it's because of Bikini Kill or Hole.

Rap and Hip Hop are distinctive cultural genres and like many they are diverse. There's not one kind or color of rap or hip hopo artist. That being said there are for some folks generational differences. This is not dissimilar to the differences between the generations of Rock 'N Roll many years ago. Sadly, a few well known artists get a lot of press about behaviors that are inappropriate to some in the larger community. Some of the cultural impact including language, dress and behaviors associated with some Hip Hop and Rap is offensive. Personally I tend to find that young people (I'm sorry but this is my observation) tend to turn up the volume in their vehicles to the point where I really wonder about their hearing ten or twenty years from now. I am subjected to the lyrics – some which is quite offensive. But the assault of these types of music on my neurology is a bit similar to the impact smoke has on non-smokers. We still don't fully understand how sound can influence the human body and psyche. I recognize that we "oldsters" too crank up the volume – I'm likewise offended by that as well. Your sound should be your sound – it shouldn't be OUR sound. I shouldn't be able to hear it a mile away – it shouldnt shake my car to its body as it does yours. In other words I'm bothered by how Hip Hop and Rap have invaded culture to the point where from one hemisphere to the next there is nearly no spot on earth that hasn't been influenced by this music. The impacts to women and other communities can be debated but the assault on our minds and bodies is what concerns me.

I like all kind of music. I listen mostly to heavy metal and rock. It is true what they say that that music is devil music but I couldn't care less what people say or think. Most of the time when I see people move their mouths and talk, I honestly see $*** coming out. If she honestly feels that way about it, she shouldn't of apologize. It's so annoying when people apologize because they offended people. She just prove to be another spineless mouse.

His business interests under the umbrella of Bad Boy Entertainment Worldwide include Bad Boy Records; the clothing lines Sean John & Sean by Sean Combs; a movie production company; and two restaurants. He has taken the roles of recording executive, performer, producer of MTV's Making the Band, writer, arranger, clothing designer, and Broadway actor. In 2011 Forbes estimated his net worth at $475 million, making him the richest figure in hip hop.

While taking the sting out of her words with few word generalizations, she could have just as well use the word "most" rather than "some" and still been telling the truth. At the end of the day, it is what it is, and that is all there is to it.

Growing up in the 80"s RUN DMC, LL Cool J, Whodini etc. That what rap was all about. Back then the music was about going out on the weekends having fun dancing, gangs battled by break dancing it was great back in the day. But know I have to agree with Ashley the music is very degrating to women I can't even listen to anything that is out now a days it's not rap any more.

People may be interested in knowing that many MANY African Americans agree with Ashley Judd, do NOT like rap and hip-hop, are disgusted by how it is influencing our youth and damaging our culture. She should not have to apologize for stating the obvious about music that began as a legitimate art form and now serves as an embarrassing and offensive assault on women.

Rap is crap and hip-hop is diarrhea. Ashley just doesn't want thugs attacking her limo so she is cowering to domestic terrorists. I liked her before her "apology". Now she's just a scared Hollywood knee-jerker

Ugh...enough with this Gal! What, book sales not quite up to snuff? Need to create some more "drama" in hopes that the book sales will increase? Puhleeze! Enough already. First it's abuse "feel sorry for me" (did it even happen?) now it's "if I offended anyone with my honest opinion, I apologize" My gosh, state your case and move on. You don't like Rap and what some of the lyrics/songs are about. I get it. You see, i don't have to like it...it's your opinion, BRAVO for sharing it. Cowering away and taking it back now....sad. But then again, so is the idea of you putting out a book.

I am an avid listener of hip hop. At this point, it focuses on partying, not necessarily violence. The same can be said about pop music. By the way, rap and pop music is dominating the Billboard 200 Charts right now. Both types of music are very popular. Take a look at what's selling right now on the charts.

no kidding. I am a amazed at how heavily invested people are, emotionally, when it comes to art. Art is a matter open to interpretation. This reminds me of Seal, when asked why he doesn't include lyrics in his CDs and his response was about leaving it all open to the listener's interpretation. He creates it and lets it fly. If only we could see the same level of maturity here.. and out there.

Whether you like it or not, Rap and hip-hop are valid expressions of poetry that were born on the streets of the ghettos of OUR inner cities. Don't throw them out because you don't like what they say. LISTEN to what our brothers and sisters have to say! Yeah, there's bad stuff in there, particularly towards the sisters, but WHY!! Ask yourselves WHY!! What has this got to do with ME? Everything! Do you know what life on the streets is like for many of these young people? Find out. Reach out to your brothers and sisters! Get active. Do something. Put it right. Embrace the poetry. Write your own. Sing it out. Don't just diss it from the safety of your laptop! Find your local support groups. Go feed poor people every Saturday. There is so much to do! And yes, it is OK to reject the extremists everywhere, even in our poetry. But reject with understanding.
Sister Ashley is an intelligent woman and has corrected herself. She is rejecting with understanding. Good for her. Now move on everybody. And compose and write and sing ......

Interesting that you ask the rest of us to understand what is going on in the inner city, yet you say nothing about extending the same courtesy to Ms. Judd. She grew up in Appalachia; not exactly Beverly Hills.
And oh yeah– her comments were in the context of an AIDS awareness group she works with. Do you work with one? Have you ever seen AIDS in the inner city? Do you ever ask yourself WHY or how it affects you?

I freely confess to not knowing what Ms Judd does with her money. However, for all you and I know, she may well donate generously to the poor in Appalachia and the inner cities. Nonetheless, I do extend the same courtesy to Ms Judd to find out and understand what goes on in our inner cities, and Appalachia.

I absolutely have seen the effects of AIDS in the inner cities and it IS appalling.

I never stop asking myself WHY and how does it affect me. And I find myself guilty on all charges!

My husband told me about a time he accidentally went into compton because they got lost looking for a gas station. My husband is Hawaiian and his surfing buddy was caucasian. His friend had to hide while he put the gas in the tank. He's was told by the gas attendant to get the hell out of there.... the only reason they didn't kill him was because he had brown skin. Inner city? No thanks.

As a former Music Major in college, it's important to mention that many classical composers were slammed by "modern" day critics who hated their music. They were blamed for social injustices, depravity and austricized by the general public. This was not the case with all composers, but many did not see fame until after their death. So, for us to critize rap and hip-hop only follows a longstanding ritual. That said, I do have extreme empathy for Ms. Judd and applaud her commentary and her humanitarian efforts. Certainly 2 paragraphs are a smidgeon of her overall message.

Some people need to do some research about Stolen music. Start by looking at "The King" Elvis. As I recall, he sampled one of his best songs from a black woman. Points for anyone who knows what im talking about!

The bottom line here is that for the ignorant it is better to make generalizations than to employ critical thinking skills and wonder, at least for a brief moment, if there is any chance that an exception may exist...

Most of the comments here signify that most people are taking the shortcut and using generalizations...

She owes no one an apology it's called Freedom of Speech and it's just her opinion. Just like the degrading lyrics of some rap music whether you like it or not it's Freedom of speech. So sick of all this apologizing for saying what you think. If you can't take it then don't read it,watch it or listen to it !

although i agree with most of what Judd had to say what you are saying is bothering me Fran. "freedom of speech" (the first amendment) was created specifically to protect private citizens against the GOVERNMENT censoring their "speech". This is not what's going on here. Really sick of everyone misusing the term (and making a point to capitalize Freedom Of Speech at that. lol)

Not sure why she is apologizing. There is no way in H.E.L.L. she (a UK grad) wrote those paragraphs. She most defintely had a ghost writer. "Hey honey, can you get me a dictionary? I have no idea what nefarious or misogyny mean. What if someone busts my chops about these 2 paragraphs out of my 400+ page book that no one willl read...."

ALL YOU GUYS ARE DUMB RACIST WHO DONT KNOW S**T ABOUT ANYTHING JUST OFF WHAT YOU HEAR AND SEE IN THE NEWS LOOK BEHIND CLOSE DOORS... YOU IDOTS!!! A ROCK N ROLLER CAN TALK "SHOOTING UP" AND SNIFFING SOME COCAIN OR TALK ABOUT HOW HE PRAISES THE DEVIL AND A COUNTRY SINGER CAN TALK ABOUT HOW HE DRINKS HIMSELF TO DEATH AND BEATS OF WIFE OR HOW HE SLEPT WITH HIS YOUNGER SISTER BUT YEA YOU IGNORANT PEOPLE THINK THATS JUST FINE RIGHT ?

What you see on T.V and hear on the radio is not REAL Hip-Hop. That is just commercialized crap.
If you listen to Common, The Roots, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Gang Starr, Reef the Lost Cauze and a lot of other underground emcees you would hear nothing but positive messages.

You're proof that misogyny in rap influences people's views of women and therefore should not be tolerated. Don't refer to her as a chick; she's a woman and a whole human being. Woman-haters ought to be ashamed!

The ignorance of some people is astounding. She was right to use the word "Some" because you could say that about ANY Genre. Those of you who think Rap and Hiphop is not music(which is funny since it generates over a 1 billion dollars a year by people of ALL races who LOVE it) and is performed by criminals, how do you explain Will Smith and Queen Latifah, two former Rap and HipHop artist turned movie stars who made a ton of positive uplifting songs. All you ignorant people can be that narrow-minded, can you? I wonder if any of you are country music fans and have even LISTENED to the lyrics. Put on some Johnny Cash and tell me that NO country music is misogynistic. Tell me no Rock and Roll is misogynistic(White Snake Videos). Are yall serious? You guys are laughable.

I agree with Eric. As a middle aged pasty white woman, even I have found much to admire in rap music. When they play a song that refers to women and girls as "hos" and "b!tches" I can always change the channel or turn it off. I like Ashley's apology – it isn't a complete reversal of opinion, just restating that opinion without painting everyone within the genre with the same brush.

@Greebo Since your question is presumptious and its clear you've either haven't heard enough or too narrow-minded to make a resonably informed decision on what's "most" vs "some", i'm going to answer you by using your own narrow-minded thinking method and say from what I heard, Country music have alot more misogyny in it than Hip Hop. Being drunk and being abusive to women seems to be the overriding theme of every country song. Rock and Roll isn't far behind with the misogyny with their tales of groupies and drug binges. None of it is socially redeeming.

Rapping IS a talent, because not everyone can do it. Can you? Talent (like singing for example) is something that many people cannot do. Also, there are many forms of music, like there are many forms of dance or art. Some may prefer ballet (dance) but that doesn't change the fact that tango is another form of dance.
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Also, rap is music. It's litteraly poetry that rhymes, but instead of singing, the artist raps instead. It may not be your cup of tea, but it's topping the Billboard Charts right now, along with regular pop music today. Look it up those charts.

Look, Rap has its uses. I have my radio alarm set on a Rap station. It comes on in the morning when it's time for me to get up. I can tell you that I'm up out of that bed in a matter of just a few seconds to turn that noise OFF ! I never over-sleep.

I agree with her; I am appalled by the level of mysogyny in rap and hip-hop music. It's not even entertaining. Even R&B songs are different versions of the same theme. Male singers are all "I can do it all night long baby and I'm the man, let's do it until the sun comes up" and she's all "oh yeah baby I can take it all night long." Same old same old.

Ok so if the same theme means music is not entertaining then you must not like any music since most genres tend to have a few common themes. For example, getting drunk, marrying the neighbor girl, divorcing the neighbor girl and her taking all you own and ending up alone with your dog and your truck.

So hip hop/rap is the ONLY music where men sing about "doing it all night long"??? All kinds of music has adult elements, including rock and country. So to blame hip hop alone for misogyny isn't right.

Like I said before, ALL types of music and ALL types of media (like movies, I'm sure you've seen nudity, and misogyny in movies) have misogynistic elements. To blame hip hop alone is wrong.

Wow...just wow...no wonder this country is F'd up....too many racist and too many people quick to judge something they know nothing about...oh well I am used to it and in the end those he speak ill will gets theirs in the end....Karma's a bia....i guess thats why hip hop has such a huge following among young white americans....I mean if you did know about the culture you would know that white kids buy majority of the records....Now I will wait for the hateful responses.

Yeah, well there are many people who are scared of something they don't understand and the best way they can deal with it is to hate it rather than to try and gain an understanding of it. Saying all rap and hip-hop is about senseless womanizing and vulger is like saying all black people can play basketball well and all black men are well endowed. Since many of those types never go outside of their bubble, they take generalizations and a view of %10 of a people and use those to paint the whole picture. It's pretty sad.

I have plenty of critical thinking skills considering I am a DJ who listens to a variety of different genres of music....All my events are not hip hop...I listenen to all forms of art...now who is the ignorant one here.

Ok, i misunderstood your question....I do not like all lyrical content....Some of the content can be harsh....but in my opinion, and this is just my opinion, there is no difference about rapping about violence and women and making movies that show violence and women being taking advantage of....Its an art form for entertainment...thats it...

OK, so I think rap music SUCKS and I took time to post about it. You tell me how THAT makes me a racist. The lifespan of a particular music art form is short-lived, at best. The 60's had hippie music, the 70's had disco and punk, the 80's had new wave and hair metal, the 90's had grunge and alternative, and somehow, rap and hip-hop has managed to gain a foothold. It wore out its welcome about 15 years ago, and has managed to survive longer than disco, which EVERYBODY got sick of back in the day and caused people to burn immense piles of LP's in Comiskey Park. Nobody would dare try to do that today with rap records because you'd be instigating a damn riot and the black community would call it a hate crime. The Sugar Hill Gang helped usher rap music from the underground to an art form back in '79, and at one time, it had a bit of melody. Then came sampling (ripping off), then came gangsta rap, then you had Tupac and Biggie and the East Coast/West Coast BS 15 years ago where people were getting gunned down. That never happened in any other musical genre. Violence begets violence. Eminem gave the genre a boost but even he is washed up. Ice Cube and Snoop are cartoon characters at best. You can't associate people's sickness and dislike of a particular art form (and I use art form very lightly) with racism. That's incredibly narrow minded. So tell me how I'm a racist.

Sarge,
I give you props.....You at least know the history and took time to explain your reason unlike some of the other post I have read....The only thing I disagree with you is when you say some artist are washed up...record sales and other marketing ventures will say otherwise....but besides that, I have respect for your comments, and no sir, I do not believe you are a racist....

Sarge: Way back in the 1920s, jazz great Sidney Bechet once got into a gunfight (in Paris, at noon) because another musician had accused him of playing the wrong chord changes. In fact, early jazz is full of such stories. Better rethink your ideas or extend your musical knowledge past the 1960s.

Soooo...I'm racist because I don't like Rap and I replied to your post. That makes absolutely zero sense.
People don't like some of the music I like, it doesn't mean they are racist. It means they hate my music. Hating Rap and Racism are not intertwined. Is a rap artist racist if he hates country? Seems according to some of the standards brought up on this thread that they would be.
Hello America, critical thinking has left the building. Last time it was spotted was in a bar with Charlie Sheen...

I listen to lots of offensive music. People aren't don't always nice on the inside, as Monstah said...we have violent action movies and horror films about people getting murdered ect. We need an outlet so we don't go out doing this stuff. That's why offensive music is becoming more popular, esp with the white kids who live in the suburbs because they want to feel hard, but not act hard. Or the poor ones who aren't white and have less to look forward to, and some actually being hard...will never have much money, women, or nice cars and like to think about what it would feel like if they did. Some of this music sometimes does breed stereotypes, and promotes a little hate, and objectifies women. But not all of it by a long shot. Really, American society is probably less hateful and racist than I have seen it ever in my lifetime. I'm a white guy from the country, a hillbilly for sure, I never met anyone of another race until i turned 18. I play bluegrass, and a lot of folk music, and blues. I LOVE Dr. Dre! Good music transcends all genres. The truth of the matter is, for the most part, POP music is destroying American culture, not hip hop. A lot of hip hop just happens to be really popular right now. It makes us shallow, its overproduced, has no soul and lots of those crappy catch phrases that get stuck in your head, and that's why its so popular and catchy. Just because teenagers like it, doesn't make it good, and just because I or you or anyone else doesn't like it doesn't make us racist. Once i was called racist for wearing a camouflage hat lol. We gotta start using common sense eeeerbody. lol.

@ Nyarlathotep
You're talking about Jazz of the 1920's, which was WAY before TV, radio, music videos, and mass produced cassette tapes and CD's that people could go into a store to buy. I was pointing out the different music genres that took place in recent decades that were an influence over culture. You can hardly compare Jazz of the 20's when people were lucky to own a phonograph, to gangsta rap of the mid-90's when whatever was selling was forefront in the media and pushed towards the buying demographic.

Rap music is terrible. It's just a bunch of guys that can't play an instrument (I don't consider a beat box or programable drums an instrument) stealing other peoples work (oh, sorry, I meant SAMPLING) and overlaying crappy new lyrics. Lyrics that all carry the same themes, ie: look at how great I am, look at how much money I have, look at how many women I've slept with, etc, etc, etc. The genre has become a sad parody of itself. It's time someone came along and give it some meaning, depth, and some actual musicianship.

and she needs to apologize for what? Speaking the truth, having an option. I agree with most of the comments. What is the point of this kind of music. It will one day quickly disappear just as bluegrass and blues have for the last few generations. There is no need for a music that only uses foul language and belittles others.

Music is just another medium for telling a story, just like a book. There are different ways of doing it, just like there are book genres. Some ppl hate rap/hiphop like some ppl hate memoirs (Judd). For something that has a market and sells, it's hard to call that one thing out.

Sam Kinison said it best years ago, "rap music has been around a long time. I kind of thought it would have fizzled out like a bad fart by now". And here we are, all these years after Sam's passing and hip-hop and rap is still in the forefront. Why?? It's not music! At this time in 1986, 25 years ago, here's who topped MUSIC charts and had music videos on MTV: Pet Shop Boys, Mike & The Mechanics, Falco, The Outfield, Van Halen, Dire Straits, Phil Collins, Bangles, Whitney Houston, John Cougar Mellencamp, Level 42, Bob Seger and INXS. Some acts are still around, some aren't. But even the bands that didn't make it sound incredible in comparison to the GARBAGE that you see/hear today. What I can't figure out is back in 1985, Tipper Gore and the PMRC were cracking down on suggestive lyrics. They were targeting bands like Twisted Sister and hard rock/heavy metal in particular. Where is the PMRC today? The stuff in rap music is borderline criminal in comparison. This **** needs to be eliminated from our culture. It SUCKS with a capital S.

The PMRC just wanted parents to be aware of what their children were hearing from the lyrics. 2 Live Crew anyone? The whole point of the PMRC were to include stickers on albums to let parents know that their children were listening to "Explicit Lyrics." Had really nothing to do with genre because rap, hip-hop, rock, and metal all share commonalities of offensive lyrics... Freedom of speech should have covered everyone though...

Falco??!!!??? Falco is great music??? I agree there is a lot of objectionable content on the airwaves these days–not just in rap music. When are you going to summon the PMRC armies to censor Britney Spears, Kid Rock, Ke$hia rap/singing to pre-teens about partying and drinking, Beyonce, and so on and so on? And for goodness sake! Who is going to stop Rebecca Black???

I'm not sure you can honestly criticize the violence and mysogeny present in some (not all) rap, without noting the similar themes in some (not all) heavy metal. Both are forms of pop music filled with imagery mirroring the rage and power fantasies of disaffected adolescents (of all ages). How you can say N.W.A. is any "worse" than Black Sabbath, Snoop Dogg any more morally corrupting than Slayer, is beyond me.

@SncrDerelict
There is nothing incorrect in using 1000% to note 10x. A percentage doesn't necessarily have to be a number between 0 and 100. A percentage is a number with an assumed denominator of 100. You are just parroting a correction that others have made before in error.

Any Rap and Hip-Hop music that stands apart from violence and ganster vibes has it's place, although none of it appeals to me personally. I find that even the more palatable tunes are profoundly ugly and boring.
But, to blame Rap and Hip-Hop for the World's woes is just sheer ignorance. Man's ignorance and arrogance is to blame. Guess you just contributed to the cause Ashley.

See it's people like you who assume when someone speaks they mean EVERYONE, how could she possibly speak for everyone. Sofor the ignorant she has to actually say that she meant "some" not all..... when it should have been obvious. If those who criticize her had common sense they would see that, instead they oppose their knee-jerk reactions onto the scenario. GROW UP.

its crap less of an art, however its got so popular, its okay to a certain extent but this is like a storm, like a trend, i am guessing since its easy to produce or sing in hip hop or rap so thats why there so many people are doing it and its ends up as cheaper content for market (i mean cheaper in price) ...

She certainly does not want to offend any blacks and be accused of being racist, it is fine to call your mother a child abuser but she certainly would not want to be considered racist. Stupid but not racist.

Pointless apologies pandering to a demographic that she perceives that she could have had an appeal to, and as such does not want to alienate in case she wishes to market a product to them.

She's not sorry for saying what she said, just that it angered people. And she shouldn't be sorry – people are allowed to have opinions, and that includes her. You can dislike whatever you want, and if that happens to be rap and hip hop for misogynistic subject matter than that's fine. The rappers and hiphoppers can deal.

Rap and hip hop will always be, on any given day, MUSIC! Those that criticize it and say it isn't are just ignorant and have no grounds for their critique. Poetry spoken over instruments playing music would be appreciated by these so-called music lover if it were done by an stereotypical white person but because the only rap you know of is the crap these white owned music labels force america to listen to, it's not music. They said hip wouldn't last thirty years ago and it still here because it's a voice to generations can use to express themselves in a non traditional way.

I would agree that the MAJORITY of Rap and Hip Hop is terrible music, but it is music. These genres of music however do not raise it's listeners up and inspire them to achieve greatness, unless that "greatness" is by becoming a rich rap star.

it is no more racist to criticize rap music as it is to criticize heavy metal or country, it's all simply a matter of taste.

Calling someone a racist beacuse they voice their point of view on a subject is ignorant on your part. You need to look up the definition of a racist. That type of needless hate slang in a situation that doesn't call for it is what is wrong with our country. Putting one race against another when race was not the issue but a type of music is ridiculous. You need to educate yourself and grow up past your own racism.

IIf Oprah had said the same thing about Death Metal music would you claim that "racism" was involved? Of course not – now grow up and stop playing the race card. It makes it look like all Bruthas like fools.

I would disagree that Rap and Hip Hop music is better than other genre's in my point of view rap and hip hop are far less original, and hosts far fewer actual musicians than other genres of music. at least to be a rock star, you have to know how to play an instrument. I doubt snoop or puff daddy even know how to run a sound board, or eminem or any of the others for that matter... they simply sample and generate sounds on computers and record lyrics over them. music yes... musicians no. Quality? I dont think so, at least not in generally speaking terms. there are some good songs here and there, but the exception really, not the rule.

@ViSmith
You don't know what you're talking about. The genre was developed out of a culture that, generally speaking, wasn't able to afford musical instruments and/or accompanying lessons. They found inventive ways to develop music using their mouths as both background and foreground instruments, until the genre developed enough to allow technology to take over the background.

And as for your final statement, that is true for any genre of music. There's not one where every track produced is considered "good music" to everyone, so that's a purely opinionated statement that was foreshadowed by your admittance that you're not a fan of the genre...

"The genre was developed out of a culture that, generally speaking, wasn't able to afford musical instruments and/or accompanying lessons"

No, it was developed out of a lack of culture that eschewed working hard to achieve something exceptional, like those who came before. You don't need lessons to learn an instrument. You need to pick it up and work with it for long periods of time.

I believe people need to realized country music is far from immune to womanizing... just listen to some of those lyrics and you will hear things that are less than being polite. Also... KEITH WHITLEY... a folk hero in country music; in life a woman beating alcoholic. As they say, sweep off your own steps before you try to clean another's. One more thing; just because you don't have the capacity to understand something does not mean it is not music.

She's not right. She said most rap hip hop is based on that which is incorrect. Maybe most of the mainstream stuff she's been exposed to but like with any genre, that's not even close to "most" of it. It'd be like saying that "most" country music is whining about how your girl left you. It's just an ignorant generalization from someone who doesn't know enough about the genre to make a statement like that.

There's misogyny in ALL kinds of music and ALL types of media, not just hip hop. Oh, and remember when rock and roll was new and frowned upon in the 50s? While she's at it, she came blame video games and movies for violence. Same concept. Don't knock music just because you don't listen to it. I don't listen to country, so I won't say anything about it because I don't know about it.

Plus, Snoop and P. Diddy were trying to help with AIDS awareness, and she is tearing them down. They were trying to do something good, so kudos to them.

The comparison of rap/hip-hop today with rock in the 50s is a ridiculous argument that gets trotted out whenever anyone admits to hating this crap. The videos are unbelievably immature, super materialistic adolescent fantasies of "success" and domination of women. Are the defenders of hip-hop the same people who decry violence in our society and demand that political leaders "do something" about it?

Gold coast slave ship bound for cotton fields,
Sold in a market down in new orleans.
Scarred old slaver know he's doin alright.
Hear him whip the women just around midnight.
Ah brown sugar how come you taste so good
(a-ha) brown sugar, just like a young girl should
A-huh.

Politically correct? I'm so tired of hearing about everyone being politically correct, if something she said hurt your feelings, put your big girl pants on and get over it. I agree with some of the other statements that there are some good songs from both rap and hip hop, but so many of them have to do with degrading of women, drugs etc. People just have to weed the good from the bad, not that hard to do.

Hmmm, all of you seem to be hating on Rap and Hip Hop with out really understanding it. As much as I dislike country and other genres I can understand why other people like it.

Educate yourselves, you obviously don't know a thing about either genre, otherwise you could at least appreciate it. There are some great songs that fall into those categories. And some of the songs have powerful messages.

Sorry, but as a musical genre, that isn't the only reason it sucks. It sucks because it basically goes nowhere, musically. There is no harmony, no complex interplay between the instrumentalists (HA!), and it is missing so much of the complex interaction between different musicians. A guy playing records is not a musician. A turntablist is equivalent to the man or woman in the orchestra playing the triangle.

I believe you stated that you were an accomplished musician. I finding that hard to believe with your comments. Do you even realize that one of Jay-z's albums had four songs produced by the guy from ZZ top? And many current hip-hop/rap albums use live instrumentation? As a producer/composer most of my tracks have a piano layer, bass, strings, etc. I wonder how you say that you studied music at a university and cannot here the complex layering of many hip-hop/rap/pop songs. lol, I think you are fibbing about studying music.

From what I hear about Ashley Judd, She is really an idiot who has mastered the the art of "sounding" intelligent. Also, I hear most actors that work with her absolutely hate her which is why she never works with the same people twice. I am also told that she is still pathetically bitter about her sister and mothers early success.

What ever happened to freedom of speech. people? Is the best you can do in response this silly dribble that sounds like a bad gossip magazine? Look at Ms. Judd's career...she has indeed worked with many of the same people twice, and spends much of her time now in humanistic work...and what do YOU do to make the world a better place? Shame, shame...I don't like all rap or hip hop but recognize when there is talent behind the words...Jay-Z and Eminem to name just 2. it's hate we should all be about elimintaing, not promoting to youth. What artists we've deemed to be stars from the not-to-distant past needed to have an armed crew following them around...and how many of them were shot just driving down the street? We ALL need to do better, say better. Leave the hate behind and let progress shien through.

You people are so narrow minded, Seriously this is pathetic who are any of you to say what is music or not. Do you not remeber the start of rock and how it was labeled as the devils music. It pains my heart so read such hate and discontent for humanity....and yes that is what it is. Judd apologized because she was wrong period yes there are rappers that deliver the wrong message through there songs but there are also rappers that have a positive message why should they be labeled as drugged up thugs. Today is a Sad day my friends I am sorry to have come over this post. God Bless you all and please have a open mind and accept culture for what it is........

The exception should never be viewed as the rule. Yes, there are some (few?) rappers/hip hop artists that deliver a positive message from time to time. But for every positive song, message, artist you will find 10 misogynistic messages/images etc. Her assessment is valid, she just caved under the pressure of whiny people who were insulted by the truth, because a) they are afraid to examine their support of something so vile or b) they like wallowing in the mire as long as it has a "good beat."

I do not personally like rap or hip-hop and I abhor the filthy lyrics that BLARE from the cars, etc. However, when discussing it with my 18-year-old son (at that time) he told me to listen to the good rap – that the performer is making it up as s/he goes along and it takes real talent to do that. I then started listening and basically, although it is not my music of choice, I do respect their talent.

I have to say I don't listen to rap music because what little I have listened to in the past was filled with violence and hatred. It has nothing to do with racism. I don't like violence and that kind of "music" is typically marketed to young people who don't need that kind of influence anyway.

Hi Dan....As a professional musician who has dedicated his life to to composition, arrangement, and theoretical side of music, and as someone who has studied such topics at university, I believe that I am allowed to say what is music and what is not.

Just because you call yourself a musician, Alienxfb, doesn't mean the rest of us believe you, right? Isn't that what you're saying about all rappers? There is indeed a lot of good hip hop and rap out there. You just have to look a little harder to find it.

Yeah. What people don't seem to get is that music - yes, even rap - is just a mirror. Hate the sound of it all you want. Hate the person making the sound. Hate the person who wrote of those beastly ideas and imagery. Hate the people who promote it and listen to it... You're barking up the wrong tree, though. If the themes in rap are ugly and misogynistic, it's because it's authors and performers live in an ugly and misogynistic world. Fix that, and the sounds will be different, not the other way around.

Music can be objectively judged just as easily as other forms of art. You can compare complexity, harmony, rhythm, and a number of other factors. Rap is simplistic, as is most pop music. Most people simply do not have the capability of appreciating music with more complexity or richness. Hence, the public feeds their frenzy on that which is easily digested by the mostly non-thinking mind. Most people just want something they can dance to or something that pushes the buttons they want pushed. Profits do not make good music. Sales numbers do not make good music. Anyone using those as benchmarks to say what is good or not are not particularly intelligent.

Hey, good for you guys, awesome racist comments, makes you all look real smart. Besides, rap is hardly the worst genre of music anymore. Even rap takes more talent than dance club music which seems to be the most popular genre right now.

Yes, there ARE good rappers out there, but many of them aren't main stream, commercialized individuals. I sometimes will turn on a Hip Hop station here on Long Island (Hot 97.1), and most of it is insipid babbling about how much money they have and/or want, what's going on in "da club", what car they are driving, and so on. It's so saturated now, and I cannot comprehend as to WHY people still buy into it.

As for the remark about rap needing more talent than dance/techno/ect. – Are you serious? I guess you are – I USED to think the same thing. But then I realized, through observation of some DJ friends, how much work goes into such songs. There's tons of layering, editing, and creativity involved. DJs (real DJs – not the ones that stand around playing Chicago at weddings) need to be able to create songs that flow well with distinctive beats and rhythm. Rap and Hip-Hop, on the other hand, have pre-disposed beats that are generally simple, and the rappers/"artists" generally don't create such beats themsevles. The main stream, commercialized, music industry does.

As I said before, I am not cutting down ALL rap/hip-hop, but if you cannot concisely distinguish the difference between good and bad rap/hip-hop, then you shouldn't be judging music at all.

Rap? Music? It's mostly a rip off of talented songwriters putting some stupid, unimaginative rhymes to otherwise GOOD songs. They have no freaking talent whatsoever, I mean, I can rhyme ho with 500 other words with the same ending too, but I choose to write music that makes you have to use your brain a little :) Don't apologize Ms Judd...stand up for it, you're absolutely right !!!

Dude, obviously you have NEVER bothered to actually listen to any rap beyond what you hear on the radio–you just showed your ignorance–like another poster, I used to listen to rock 'n roll, which deals with pretty much a lot of the same BS as rap–and remember rock 'n roll used to be demonized just as much mainly because it has black roots. First,of all, you have to actually WRITE a rap song,just like you do any other song. You should listen to old-school rap from the '80's to see what REAL rap sounded like before it got commercialized to death and turned vulgar as hell. Believe me, there ARE some complicated,deep and well-written rap songs out there–start with THE REFLECTION ETERNAL, and go back to old-school stuff like Boogie-Down Productions,Mc Lyte,Queen Latifah and Public Enemy. So before you start sporting your ignorance about what rap is and isn't, shut and LISTEN to some good positive rap. Ohter genres of music like folk and country deal with the same issues rap does-they just wrap it up in a prettier tune and are just less explicit about it.

I wish she hadn't apologized. She is absolutely right about (c)rap and hip hop culture. It is overwhelmingly misogynistic. Just because she is white doesn't make her true statement about the misogyny of the "hip hop culture" inaccurate or racist. Sometimes the truth hurts and it is way overdue that women speak out against rap culture. So what if a few of the perpetrators give to charities? Its the equivalent of an abuser beating you and then bandaging your wounds.

She should NOT have apologized. It's not like the druggies, gangsters and rappers she's apologizing to are, or ever were, going to read her book anyway. Sorry, I don't want to assume they can all read. I should have said "are going to read or listen to an audio version of her book.":)

I agree with your comment and I'm a black man. She should not backtrack on her comments as she is right on. However, I don't see much of a difference between Hip Hop and heavy metal except the demographic that subscribes to each. I wonder, if some of the bad rap, (no pun intended) attributed to Hip Hop is racist? Probably much more then we'd like to believe!

Please, she absolutely should have apologized. And she STATED in her own words why. As an educated woman, for her to make a general assumption about all hip hop/rap is absolutely dumb! When I was growiung up in the 80s and 90s, white rock bands screamed to the top of their lungs about foolishness . . .drugs, tearing up/breaking ish, subjugating women, drinking, getting HIGHER than a kite! But no one says a word. It's because it was all about "white, mainstream culture". But because hip-hop and rap pulls their inspiration from what white America considers a "sub-culture", and thus it's CREATORS and participants "less than" as people in this country. . .it's (c)rap? Please! AGAIN, it ALL comes back to the larger concept of demonizing anything that black people hold up and hold dear, versus anything coming out of white mainstream America (although it's JUST as violent) is OK. Bull! Get a freaking life. And it doesn't matter. If WHITE America thinks rap is so HORRIBLE, KEEP YOUR KIDS from buying ALL of it up in the STORES! Considering they are the #1 group of CONSUMERS of hip/hop & rap MUSIC. . .oh I mean (c)rap!

Val, I am so sick and tired of these self righteous women who think they are morally superior to everyone. Most people understand that a generalization is just an opinion and you don't need to constantly impose your misguided sense of morality on others. When she apologized, people like myself see this is an arrogant attempt to backtrack and convince the world that she is actually a great human being. Well too late. I am calling her on her bluff. She looked much better showing her flaws. At least when she wrote it in the book she was being honest with herself. Going back and changing what she said only proves that she tries too hard to project an image of perfection on the rest of the world. And the fact that you defend her suggests that you are guilty of the same. Bottom line, it's better to be real with people than to try and convince people of your humility. In the end she is only convincing herself. The rest of us see right through it. Her comment in the book made her look ignorant. NOW she looks both ignorant AND pretentious.

"...and it is way overdue that women speak out against rap culture."
Way overdue? Hip hop feminists have been speaking out against misogyny in hip hop for decades...her contribution is weak, it is not new and should not be confused as groundbreaking. Maybe if she had cited these women whose scholarly works are grounded in their lived experiences as daughters of the hip hop generation, and their active participation in feminist politics, she would not have received such a backlash from the Black feminist community. Know the history before you go applauding Judd for her "way overdue" critique.

Obviously she meant what she meant when she wrote it, she's only saying "sorry" because m0r0ns got all upset about it. Why? Because it's not true? No! Because it IS true. Don't like the reference, change reality and we won't make those references anymore!

Although I haven't read her book, I agree with the comment about the Rap Crap. Obviously there are some listeners out there but it's not my type of music. I don't even think of it as music but that's just me. I don't like that M&M guy since his lyrics make him sound like he needs councelling. Who would right a song about raping and beating women? Can't stand him.

I don't think it's fair to condemn all rap music just because some of it isn't in the best context. I am a black woman and I don't care much for rap music right now. I used to listen to it when it had more positive messages, and some of it still does. It really just depends on the artist and also what is selling. You may be surprised to know, but the majority of people who are buying this kind of music are white kids in suburban areas!

I agree with many of her statements about the negative impact rap and hip hop has on many african american females, however why is it that everytime someone wants to comment about something they don't understand they offer an apology after they have been put in the spotlight for the comment. She 100% meant to say it however her publicist felt the need to clean it up such that "no harm no foul" is set in place? I am an African American Very Well Educated Woman. Shame on me if I continue to allow the ignoranc of someone else define anything about me or my culture. Why is it that only white folks have something to say about EVERY other culture other than their perfect own?

If you are in fact "very well educated" you would know that you do not need to capitalize the intiial letters in the words. Ashley Judd has bowed to pressure and adding the word "sometimes" as many times as she has in the correction actually makes it sound rather dense. She should stick to her "guns" at it were and not be afraid to proffer her opinion. Taken in context the comments make sense and are in fact pretty much correct about the culture of SOME of the artists and music.

"I'll take 'I'm racist' for 1000, Alex"..Sad to break it to you, but white little boys and girls are buying iTunes of hip hop MORE than little black girls and boys are – All hip hop isn't so bad – Plus, the words of Dylan and Mcartney and lyrics of KISS say WORSE things than any hip hop genre has brought to the table - What most whites are MAD about is how Hip Hop has changed the American culture and that it brings ALL cultures to the table... It's okay for Eminem to rap and for Kid ROCK to rap – But Snoop and Diddy are the first to be ostricized about RAP... They stole it from the black community – NOW, COUNTRY is taking a little hip hop flavor on – (que Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler singing 'walk this way' by RUN DMC at the Academy of Country Music Awards two weeks ago)
Ashley, go to the altar and ask God for help and quit whining – no one is buying your little elementary fairy tale of a so-called book. I'm not a fan anymore. You sister is far more famous and cool than you'll ever be. Just play wife and shut your mouth.

Some time ago , I was watching some repeat Hollywood awards show crap. I saw Snoop DOG leading a very young black woman down the red carpet with a dog chain on her neck. He wore a big stupid looking hat ; fur coat, big long plait's on his head and enough big baudy looking jewelry to sink the Lusitania. He looked like a $10 drugged out puss faced pimp. I threw a coffee cup at my TV,which exploded and set my house on fire. I'm a black woman. The white girl is right; bless her. Snoop DOG and the rest of those filthy degenerates are PIGS. PERIOD

Well, she is right. I listen to hiphop once in a while, and it is so negative 90% of the time. It depicts women and hard work so terrible. Instead it embraces the MJ culture and abuses the minds of young girls. How Sad! She Judd is simply saying it like it is. The youth somethimes do not even realize what they dance too.

I am a rap lover and a big fan of snoop...not so much diddy...liked biggie a lot though. I will have to also say that I am a father of two boys in upper single digits. I will not play much if at all....the rap because of the content which doesn't interest me and I know it is not constructive below 30 yrs.. I love the melody though. However, I can also like symphonies, classical, rock etc. Ms. Judd is right on the money....however, I just think if she hadn't mentioned the singers specifically then she would have served well because in todays pc world.....then again since she mentioned it got my attention and thats how things role these days. I salute to her for having nicely analyzed this but I thank snoop for the melody which should really be only for 30 and over.... cheers...btw, i live in a very well to do society, am owner of several retail and service businesses, am a very much family man and am a migrant (legal) but not from americas and not a caucasian...

Thats your opinion and not a fact. If you disagree then you need your postin privileges revoked. BTW its 2011 not 1992 so your views on " hip hop" or the forever lame "rap crap". I hate/love that little rap hate slogan"Rap Crap". Its like every person who says that has this look in their eye like what they just said was like the most brilliant rhyme ever. If your going to put all rap into one category then that means there is no difference then between the Beatles, Def Leppard and Blink 182.

Ashley Judd is one of the brightest and most articulate actors in Hollywood today. She is one of the few that sounds better and smarter with her own words rather than those written for her. If he don't want her thoughtful opinions, agree or disagree, don't read her book or excerpts. She may cause you to think. And you may not want that.

Who really cares what this white woman, or any white person for that matter thinks about Hip Hop? I'll tell you who....Other white people, who then make their own comments about Hip Hop music. But black people could care less what she thinks. You nitwit's can talk all the trash you want about hip hop, and hip hop artist will laugh at yo broke azz'z all the way to the bank, with your little white kids money, lol...Sucks to be you..Your kid Idolizes a Black man rapping about Guns, Hoes, and Clothes, wishing they could be down with the hood. FAIL....

No, she is not right! She naively generalized a whole genre under one umbrella. Hip hop and rap music has gone down many roads since it's inception in the late 70's in the South Bronx, New York. Hip Hop and rap music include countless M.C.'s that promote positivity, and demonize the inequalities that are so prevalent in our society's past and today. This is an ignorant generalization ( she states that as well) along with many of the responses posted here on this forum. It's o.k. if you do not like or care for a certain genre of music. However it is ignorant to assume all of it is the same and carries the same message.

One of the things that Ms. Judd did not mention was Eminem most of his songs are full are hate esp to women. His older song was hateful to black women and racist. A good amount of white rappers work are full of hateful words so it is not based on race. We are dealing with a people that have been disrespected and in turn some disrespect not all just some. There is good Hip Hop still out there the same way you have good country and good rock

Personally, I find country music nauseating and creatively defunct.
The only difference between hip hop music and country in regards to misogyny, is that rappers brag about it, but rarely get away with it, and country singers don't talk about it, and beat their wives backstage.
There, how's that for painting with a broad brush?

I grew up listening to rap and I have to admit, she's 100% right. I would have respected her a great deal more if she'd followed it up with, "you're d*mned right I said it, and I'll repeat it for anybody who wasn't listening the first time!"

She shouldn't apologize for telling the truth. Some of the rap is crap. Some country is crap. Some rock is crap. There is a bit of bad in every type of music. I like some rap but I think most of it is terrible. I vote with my wallet as its the only thing you can do. And for the record its OK to not like something. Don't back peddle because people don't like what you thought. Good grief. if I had a red rock and a green rock and asked for thoughts half the people who hate green and half would hate red. And there might be a small percentage that think rocks are the devil. Nobody will like everything and I think people try to hard to please everyone. Its not going to happen so tell the truth and see how the chips fall. Just my 2cents

@thegreenface
You Are A Freaking Idiot. You don't deserve to talk. To even hint that Steven Tyler copied a Rap/Hip Hop artist should be a crime punishable by death. The only artist in that genre that can even be compared to Steven Tyler is 2pac (Tupac), but even he is not on the same level. His most famous, positive song, "Changes," was a cover of an old famous rock song.

All decades of music had their own vices, however, rap music over the last couple of decades has actually turned into something different, where it is woven in with society more than any other form of music in history. This wouldn't be such a bad thing if the overall message wasn't about demoralizing women, selling drugs, killing cops, etc., All the while hiding behind the 'this is all acceptable as it comes from the impoverished of this country speaking their minds' mindset. The actual goal is to bring everyone down to the same level as the music, primarily the teenage audience. I'm sure that the guy walking around with his pants around his ankles listening this kind of music has the best future in mind.

If you are African American and support this kind of music, then embrace the stereotype that it brings and quit blaming others for the perception.

Anyone that thinks that Jamie Foxx is talented is the problem with this country. Hollywood is liberal as hell, that's why he won an Oscar. All he did was clap like Ray Charles. Didn't Eddie Murphy do that in Raw? Maybe that was Stevie Wonder. Whatever, Eddie should have gotten an award for that before Jamie Foxx did for his crap.

Right Dan, because insulting females, shooting cops and gang bs has nothing to do with rap or hip-hop culture. It's part and parcel of the music's form, in fact it's a large part of its genesis. I guess being the genius that you are–splitting the atom, conducting brain surgery and all that–you may missed that obvious part of hip-hop idiocy.

Actually Rap is a sub category of hip hip. So if you are going to vilify it please get your facts straight. Also Hip-Hop music is one of highest grossing genres and the accounts for many of the top hits on the billboard charts. While I am not a lover of all hip- hop I do have enough intelligence to understand that not what you hear on the Radio is not the essence of hip-hop but the essences of what makes money. Real good quality music doesn't make it to the billboards that goes for country to hard rock to gangsta rap. By rejecting an entire genre you are simply labeling yourself as a narrow minded moron.

She should not apologize.I am African American and female and I agree that a some, not all, but some of hip-hop is misogynistic. She needs to be strong enough to stand up for what she feels, if she wants to clarify that's fine beause "all" usually never applies and is always offensive.

She should not apologize.I am African American and female and I agree that a some, not all, but some of hip-hop is misogynistic. She needs to be strong enough to stand up for what she feels, if she wants to clarify that's fine beause "all" usually never applies and is normally offensive.

I agree with most of what she said, but really, she needs to get off the soap box. The only thing I know about Ashly Judd is that she's the first actress I have ever seen show full frontal nudity in an R rated movie. How does showing your hoochie support this line of reasoning?

Hip Hop MUSIC has the OLDEST roots of music known to man. Griots in Africa would recite spoken words while beating the ground rhythmically. Hip hop is older than classical music. If you cannot appreciate the street poetry of hip hop music than you are NOT a music lover. There's more to music than six strings and four chords on a guitar.

Life's too short to argue about what's music and what isn't! I'm considered black and I love the Beatles. I don't listen to rap, but it isn't ALL crap! If you don't like it, don't buy it. And one more thing...Ashley is one BEAUTIFUL woman!

All music regardless of its genre is an artistic expression of ones thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. It is open for interpretation of the listener regardless of the intended message. I can think of a few Judds songs out there that could be interpreted as abusive to men? If we are to condemn the right to express our opinions this book would be banned!

If you call it plagerism, people will jump all over you. You have to call it sampling. No difference in the end. It's all copied and taken from real musicians with rap lyrics over it. There was a time when Hip-HHop was cool but these days it has been taken over by a bunch of untalented "artists" just like pop music has who rap over "samples" and beats ceated by someone else.

It could be worse. It could be Toby Keith. Or does his kind of ignorant hate not count? Shout out to the Roots, K'naan, and Talib Kweli. If you have no idea who they are, you should not comment on hip hop because you are clueless. Shout out to NWA, Ice T, B.I.G., and Tupac for expressing and opening up the inner city to the many people who are much happier being ignorant, ignoring, and exacerbate the situation that many people (not all in the city) experience. It's true that I do not agree with everything they have stated, but it's also true that I rarely agree with everything anyone has stated. It's also true that they approached life in a very harsh way, but it also exposed a reality that exists in the inner city, small towns, and suburbs.

Ashley Judd, do not appologize. You knew exactly what you were saying. There was no error. It has been proof read a million times not only by yourself but also by your publisher.Your true colors came out and now everyone knows you hate rap and hip-hop. No big deal.

As for rappers who went to college and graduated, the ones I know of are: PLIES, Prodigy, Immortal Technique, and Chubb Rock has a PhD. There are also 2 females, but I can't remember who at the moment.

Continuing: David Banner, also known as Mr. Mississippi, has a bachelor's degree in business from Southern University. M.I.A. graduated from London's Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design with a degree in fine art, video and film. Flavor Flav graduated from Adelphi University.

People forget that there are differeent kinds of rap music. If you listen to the radio or watch video shows, you are listening only to a little that rap truly has to offer. record companies throw money at rappers with no depth or substance and these are the rappers that get most of the airplay. next thing you know everyone identifies ONLY these rappers with RAP MUSIC in general. there are plenty worthwhile MCs that people will never hear because the record companies don't care about rap as an art form, only as a money making tool (fkn pimps). Listen to any college radio staion and i bet you will find better hip hop.

regardless of how you want to defend their depictions in their music...the fact remains that the people who follow this music...EMULATE IT!!!!...so get over your analysis...and get your head out of your ass...

@ 12-21-12 you are not Black...no one who is Black (which I am) say they are considered Black...now back on topic.

I wish she hadn't apologized for her original comments, I totally agree . When will we, as women, take a stand? She said nothing wrong. I listen to all types of music and even hard core rap (gangsta and dirty south) at one time, but after having my daughter I knew it wasn't allowed in my car any longer. And yes, not all rappers that call certain women those names are talking about all women, however their young fan base doesn't understand the difference on a lady and a "ho".

I agree. I love some hip hop, there are great artists,deep poetic messages and also a lot of fun dance music! However, there is far too much that is very negative for girls, women and also the men who get desensitized to violence and misogyny when they listen and watch. It's negative for everyone. There is a fine line between artistic expression and mass abuse...the record labels are guilty guilty guilty. And saying people buy the stuff does NOT make all the people pushing it less guilty.

Rob you better start smelling what u shoveln, he is dead on about 90% of rap. Who cares how much rap artists make! hell a guy made milions selling pet rocks, doesen't mean his "product" has any value. 99% of the new hip hop/rap "artists" don't even have insurmants and us electronic "tuning" of their voice. it is corporate produced, engineer created emptyness. Judd is right, shock value thats it. the electronically generated beat is easy to get sucked into, its the SOMA of music and a makes a joke of creative musitions that actually play instrumaents and write music and can sing.

Agreed. I see no reason why she should have backed down from her remarks. Just read the lyrics. 90%+ of hip hop is obsessed with the self and glorification of the self with power, guns, money, "ho's", etc. It's so obvious that it reaps of insecurity because it's all about how tough and/or cool you are. I just cannot identify with it, even when the beats are good. I've never understood why millions out there get so much out of listening to someone basically rapping about how cool they are. Of course there are exceptions, but those are rare. I'm not saying it's talentless, I just take issue with the nearly universal message coming out of it. In the late 80s and early 90s there were lots of groups and diversity in the rap and hip-hop scene (whatever happened to styles like Tribe Called Quest and Digable Planets??), now it's all arrogance...

Also gotta love those making threats on this discussion and calling anyone who criticizes hip hop as racist...kind of proves our points doesn't it?

@Renee .. you've got to be kidding me. Flavor Flav has a college degree??? Chuck D having a degree would not surprise me at all, he's highly intelligent. But the Flav? Yeah boyyyyyyyy!!!!!!! Most commercial rap and hip hop is as bad as expressed here on this site. But I agree there has been a lot of intelligent, thought provoking, educational and uplifting rap and hip hop bands as well. Check out .. of course, Public Enemy, Jurassic 5, the Roots, Blackalicious, Mos Def, Spearhead ... and those are just off the top of my head. Don't defend the pimps and ho's garbage though. That, combined with BET, has reinforced negative stereotypes and I don't think that's a helpful thing.

Name me five country music stars who graduated college? Judd didn't. Besides...the reason so many urban blacks go into music and sports is because college is not always an option. If I need to explain why, well, that's a conversation stopper.

Disgusting!! As an African American male, who has a degree in Gender Studer Studies and American History, I find Judd's comments extremely predijuice and blind. While this book, which i'm happy to admit i did not bother to buy or read, claims that the genre hip hop adds to misogny and patriachial practices expierenced around the world, all music, rap, rock, alternative have underlying gender inequalities, that promote gender discrimination. Yet, to single out rap, which as a whole provides insight, or social commentary for various groups of african americans which do not readily fit into American citizenry as the problem– is bias. I ask you honestly, before condemning rap, and foolishly making the statement that rap which has been around under 40 years, leds to Aids around the world, doesn't Judd have more positive messages to reach or end gender discrimination?

for all those fans who repsonded "thank you" – taking my bow – now...
For those of you who still may be angry about recent presidental elections "still' – too bad, he's in for another 4.
For those of you who think you know music – your rendition of excerpts is laughable and sad to watch...
As for HIP HOP – like the big mac it's here tot stay, and there's NOTHING (and I do mean nothing) you can say NOR do about it – It's making milions – and it's making you mad, while you're still broke...lol
Steven Tyler is really talented. But so is Charlie Sheen... just sayin'...lol Take some diversity classes people!

It is actually the most original genre on the planet, because poetic rhythmic music came BEFORE melody, period. Just because you don't understand your music history doesn't give you a right to spout ignorance.

What a self-absorbed blow bag. We're supposed to be impressed by some guy who sells tickets to black people who want to hear a white man confirm whites are racist. What a shocker. This guy will get rich on the backs of blacks just like other racists.

How could you–or anyone–believe that Ashley is a 'complete moron'? Why, one only has to read that single paragraph, recognize at what a high level it is written, an understand immediately that it is written by a rather intelligent person.

Any college professor who ever read a student paper would agree.

Even her response to the uproar over that paragraph is intelligent. She looked twice, saw that–indeed–she'd over-generalized, admitted that fact, apologized and corrected herself. Morons can't do that.

Please, do not mistake a difference of opinion for stupidity...that's pure ignorance.

If Stanford University were to gather-up celebrities and give them I.Q. tests, Ashley Judd would score higher than the vast majority of performers in the popular music industry...intelligence include the degree to which one can rise above their act and contribute in a meaningful way in a totally difference area of life.